magisk

Magisk is a set of tools for rooting Android devices, created by topjohnwu. It implements systemless root, meaning modifications are made in the boot image rather than the system partition. This allows users to gain root privileges and run custom software while often preserving the ability to receive official OTA updates and keep the system partition intact.

The Magisk package typically includes a daemon that manages root access, a manager application for installing and updating Magisk and its modules, and a growing library of community-created modules. These modules can modify how the device behaves or provides additional features without permanently altering the system. A longstanding feature is Magisk Hide (now part of the broader Magisk framework), which aims to conceal root from certain apps and services, including some that check SafetyNet. In newer iterations, Magisk has introduced an expanded modular framework such as Zygisk to support more flexible module integration at runtime.

Installation and usage require some level of device preparation, most commonly an unlocked bootloader and a method to flash a patched boot image or use a custom recovery. Because changes are made outside the system partition, removing Magisk or unrooting can be necessary to restore official software behavior. Rooting with Magisk can impact warranties and may complicate software updates or device stability if not done carefully.

Magisk is maintained as an open-source project with a large user and developer community. It is widely used in the Android customization ecosystem to enable root access, modules, and flexible management of system modifications.