Android Root

Own your device

A hand-picked guide to rooting Android.

The frameworks that grant root, the projects and people behind them, and a directory of the apps and modules worth installing once you have it.

Systemlessno system writesKernel-spaceKernelSU & APatchZygiskruntime hooking
Updated May 2026·Curated by Jared Rummler
Where to start
MagiskThe systemless root standard — install guide, boot-image patching, modules, and Zygisk.KernelSUKernel-based su and module system for GKI 2.0 and supported custom kernels.APatchKernel and system patching framework with root support for ARM64 devices.ShizukuPrivilege bridge that exposes system APIs to ordinary apps via ADB or root.
The core projects
topjohnwuMagisk

The central userspace, systemless root and Android customization suite — root access, modules, and Zygisk.

Kotlin61k
RikkaAppsShizuku

Uses ADB or root privileges to let ordinary apps call privileged Android system APIs.

Kotlin25k
LSPosedLSPosed

Modern Xposed-style framework for runtime app hooking on rooted Android. Now archived.

Kotlin24k
tiannKernelSU

Kernel-based root solution for Android with a module system, built on a kernel-level su implementation.

Kotlin17k
Dr-TSNGZygiskNext

Standalone implementation of Zygisk for modern root stacks, independent of Magisk internals.

C++9.5k
LSPosedLSPatch

Non-root Xposed-style framework that patches APKs directly, derived from LSPosed.

Java9.1k
bmax121APatch

Android kernel and system patching framework with kernel-based root support for ARM64 devices.

Kotlin7.5k
rovo89XposedBridge

The original Xposed framework API — the foundation of Android runtime method hooking.

Java4.1k
TeamWinandroid_bootable_recovery

Core TWRP custom recovery code used in flashing, backups, and restore workflows.

C++2.5k
topjohnwulibsu

Library for Android apps that need an interactive root shell and privileged file access.

Java2.1k
osm0sisAnyKernel3

Widely used flashable kernel packaging framework for the Android modding community.

Shell2.1k
topjohnwuzygisk-module-sample

The official sample repository for building Zygisk modules.

C++600
Apps & modules
MagiskFOSS[M]Root management and the module engine the rest of the ecosystem builds on.App ManagerFOSSFull-featured package manager, app inspector, and batch-operation toolkit.ShizukuFOSSUse privileged system APIs directly from ordinary apps via ADB or root.MiXplorerProprietaryFeature-rich file manager with first-class root file-system access.AdAwayFOSSOpen-source, hosts-based system ad blocker — a classic first install.Droid-ifyFOSSClean, fast F-Droid client with a Material You interface.
Recommended Reading
Magisk DocumentationMagisk DocumentationJohn Wu & contributorsKernelSU DocumentationKernelSU Documentationweishu & contributorsAPatch DocumentationAPatch Documentationbmax121 & contributorsThe Android Platform Security ModelThe Android Platform Security ModelMayrhofer, Vander Stoep, Brubaker & Hackborn
The core idea

Root is a layered stack.

Magisk patches the boot image for systemless, userspace root. KernelSU and APatch move privilege down into the kernel. Zygisk and LSPosed hook the runtime, and Shizuku bridges system APIs to apps without full root.

Before you flash

Rooting carries real risk.

Unlocking the bootloader wipes the device, and flashing the wrong image can brick it. Root also trips Play Integrity, so banking and DRM apps may break — weigh each mod against what you actually need.

People worth following
John Wu@topjohnwuCreator of Magisk and libsu — the most important voice in modern Android root.weishu@tiannLead maintainer of KernelSU and a major driver of kernel-space Android root.bmax121@bmax121Primary maintainer behind APatch and its kernel/system patching model.Dr-TSNG@Dr-TSNGMaintainer of ZygiskNext, a standalone implementation of Zygisk.rovo89@rovo89Original creator of the Xposed framework and XposedBridge.Chainfire@ChainfireCreator of SuperSU and libsuperuser — foundational to early root workflows.Jason A. Donenfeld@zx2c4Credited in KernelSU materials for the original Kernel Assisted Superuser idea.osm0sis@osm0sisLong-time modding and kernel-flashing contributor; author of AnyKernel3.Zachary Wander@zachareeDeveloper and explainer across root-adjacent tooling and SystemUI tweaks.vvb2060@vvb2060Contributor across Shizuku and Magisk-adjacent tooling and releases.HuskyDG@HuskyDGDeveloper in the Magisk and module-concealment ecosystem.JingMatrix@JingMatrixMaintainer of post-LSPosed Xposed-successor work such as Vector.