What is Magisk?

Magisk is a popular Android rooting solution that comes in the form of a ZIP file which is used to root Android devices. It was developed by the developer topjohnwu in 2016 as an alternative way to root Android devices other than the famous SuperSU by Chainfire.

The Magisk comes in the form of a zip file that can be flashed via custom recovery such as TWRP in order to achieve root on Android devices. Once you have flashed the Magisk Zip file via TWRP, you can handle the front-end activities, including but not limited to manager root access, via an App called Magisk Manager.

Magisk –  A Magic Mask to Alter System Systemless-ly

Before getting to know what Magisk is, let me introduce top players in the game Chainfire’s SuperSU, phh’s SuperUser, and topjohnwu’s Magisk. So let me explain what Magisk is? with these root methods.

SuperSU is the most popular rooting method for Android by Chainfire, but it lost its popularity after Chainfire sold it to a Chinese company and they stopped the SuperSU development. However, topjohnwu’s started to work on Magisk and it became the most popular rooting method. Magisk popularity is by its massive features.

The main goal of these root methods is to manage which installed apps have root access. Not all apps are made to have access root. System apps like Google, Gmail, and others will not have the benefit of having root privileges. There are apps that are designed specifically keeping the root in mind.

When you install this kind of apps with Magisk root your device, then you will see a prompt from these apps for root access. The prompt is poped within the app to make sure only required app gets the permission and don’t want other apps to have root access (this may lead to insecure setup and the device may be compromised by malware).

You can even choose how these apps have the root access either permanently or temporary. Thus making sure only allow the trusted app to have root access.

All Rooting methods offer very much similar functionality, but Magisk and the way you can use any application without any issues makes it stand out from other root methods. Suppose having SuperSU and want to run a banking app is not possible, unrooting is the only way to use the bank app again.

Every time you want to use the app, it’s not possible to unroot the device. Magisk has a feature that hides the rooting from these apps and no need of unrooting the device by hiding root from your device. Unlike SuperSu it doesn’t modify or alter system partition, which means we are not messing with the system files.

What We Can Do with Magisk and Root?

Magisk a very powerful tool to run modifications (modding Android) without messing with the system. That’s the reason it is referred to as “systemless” method. Using the Magisk manager you’re going to take advantage of Magisk features.

With the ability to install “modules” from the Magisk manager app we can use handy modifications without the need for root apps. These modules allow you to install different handy modifications. Here are some of the best modules for Magisk.

Few modules which I personally use with Magisk:

• Substratum: For to apply system-wide themes on my Android.
• Dolby Atmos: For Dolby Atmos sound enhancements to my device.
• Kernel Manager: Tweak a variety of things on my device to boost performance.
• Greenify4Magisk: For saving battery life by putting my device on hibernate.
• Xposed Framework: For modding my device for other changes to the UI.

Now, I know most of the phones out there have the ability to theme the device, but the substratum is more useful for them stock Android phones. I know most of device support Substratum without root. Phones which are on Android Pie or higher require root to apply the theme. Dolby Atmos is not integrated by every phone manufacturer, by giving root access to the app we can enjoy audio enhancements on our phone.

Not all the kernels of the phones, use the full capacity of the phone. Kernel manager will be able to tune certain parameters or even install custom kernels on the device for improved performance and saving battery life.

So here we go, there are a lot of things we can do with the root access. My examples are just small things that we can do from root access. There is so much more we can do from root access.

Is Rooting a device with Magisk is Safe?

It’s absolutely safe for the device to be rooted, the majority of people using a rooted device never need higher access than what they are given. In Windows Administrator access is only needed for certain actions and this is the same with the Linux as well.

In Windows, the privilege is called Administrator access and Superuser (SU) or root access in Linux.

So two major platforms with different names for the same thing. The root access is not needed during regular usage, its when we need to play and change things in the high level, root access is granted.

It’s easy in Windows if you have the Administrator password. Microsoft will tie the first account created to Administrator privileges after Windows is installed. All the regular actions will be done under user account and it’s only when you doing something beyond regular account limitations, admin access is granted.

In the Linux platform installing certain apps and performing certain actions, that’s when you are required to give temporary access to the device so that the action is performed. Android is a highly specified version of the Linux (Android uses Linux Kernel).

So there are additional layers of security features put into these devices by Google. So even for temporary actions gaining root access is harder in Android devices than a Linux device.

What are Magisk Modules?

Magisk Modules are add-on zip packages which can be installed via Magisk Manager APK. In case if you did not know already, Magisk provides a way to systemlessly root Android device. Before Magisk, rooting an Android device or installing a MOD meant that you need to modify the /system/ partition of Android which will essentially void your warranty. But with Magisk, you get to root Android without modifying the system partition.

And Magisk Modules are no different. Every Magisk Module offers different functionality and all the Magisk zip files can be installed via Magisk Manager. And the important thing is, you still get the additional functionalities without actually modifying the system partition.

How to Install Magisk Modules Zip Files

Manually Installing Magisk Module Zip Files

1. Make sure you have the Magisk Module Zip file which you want to flash on your phone.
2. Open the Magisk Manager App.
3. Tap on the Menu icon in the top left corner.
4. Tap on ‘Modules‘.
5. Tap on the Big Yellow Plus ‘+‘ button at the bottom.
6. You will be asked to select the Magisk Module zip file. Browse and select the same.
7. After you select the zip file, press ‘Install’ if you are asked, to flash Magisk Module via Magisk Manager App.
8. The above step will flash the Magisk module. Once the flashing process completes, tap on ‘REBOOT‘ at the bottom of the screen for the changes to take effect.

Downloading Magisk Modules from Magisk Manager App

1. Open Magisk Manager App.
2. Tap on the Menu icon in the top left corner.
3. Tap on ‘Downloads‘.
4. Once you are in the download section, search for the Magisk Module you want to install. The tap on the ‘Download icon’ at the right corner.
5. You will be shown a popup asking for confirmation. Tap on ‘INSTALL‘ to install Magisk Module on your device. 
6. Once you tap on install, the module will be flashed on your device. In the next step, be sure to tap on ‘REBOOT‘ for the changed to take effect.

Magisk – Frequently Asked Questions