The vast majority of Android users are satisfied with the factory experience offered by their devices, but there is a group that needs access to more advanced functions, and the only viable route is rooting. Depending on the manufacturer, rooting Android can be a matter of a couple of commands or a real nightmare, but it is also possible to apply mods in the environment, and that is where the Magisk project comes in, which despite some rumors, will continue its development.

Magisk: The 'Magic Mask' That Helps Us Root Android
Magisk for rooting Android

The argument is always the same: "Security issues". To enable certain functions and tasks, the user requires access with elevated privileges. However, a quick online search confirms that rooting Android is not a generic process like installing Windows or downloading APKs. Each device has its quirks: Sometimes they can be removed, other times you have to negotiate, and there is never a shortage of the smartphone that is "impossible" to root.

One of the main resources when it comes to modifying and rooting Android is Magisk, a project created by John Wu. Interpreting Magisk as a simple "root system" is not entirely appropriate. From a certain point of view, it also behaves as a framework that gives us room to do much more on our phones through a series of compatible modules, without making drastic changes to the integrity of the operating system.

The future of Magisk and its usefulness for rooting Android

Magisk: The 'Magic Mask' That Helps Us Root Android
Magisk continues to work well for rooting Android and installing modules, but there will be some changes

The good news is that Magisk is not going anywhere. In May 2021, John Wu joined Google's ranks, but confirmed that Magisk's development will continue, and he also shared the APK of version 23, which among other things fixes several bugs and removes support for Android Jelly Bean and KitKat (the minimum is now Android 5.0 Lollipop).

Magisk: The 'Magic Mask' That Helps Us Root Android
Magisk is not only for rooting Android: It can also solve specific problems with the help of modules

The bad news focuses on the Magisk Hide tool, one of the most valuable under Magisk. The job of Magisk Hide is essentially to hide the bootloader status, root, and other modifications on the device. As we know well, there are many apps (e.g., home banking) and games (e.g., Pokémon Go) that refuse to work if they detect root access. Magisk Hide allows the user to keep root without losing access to those secure apps. However, Wu announced that he will no longer develop Magisk Hide to avoid any conflict of interest with his new employer.

How to install Magisk (in certain cases)

With great care, of course. There are no one-touch solutions here, and anyone interested must master advanced aspects such as using adb and fastboot, in addition to unlocking the bootloader on their device. The official installation guide shares the general process:

  1. First you must install the latest version of the app and use it to obtain information about the device's status. If the RamDisk mode is available, Magisk is installed as boot; otherwise, it goes as recovery. If SAR mode is enabled and the device is Samsung, the guide has an entire special section.
  2. Depending on the installation mode, you must patch boot.img or recovery.img. These files are extracted from the official firmware packages, or from the zip in the alternative firmware (e.g., Lineage OS). We copy the correct file from the computer to the device, tap Install in Magisk, and it will ask us to select the file.
  3. If everything goes well, the result will be a new file named "magisk_patched_[randomnumbers].img". That file needs to go back to the computer: Once we do that, the device must be placed in fastboot mode, and then use "fastboot flash boot /path/to/magisk_patched.img" (if it is boot) or "fastboot flash recovery /path/to/magisk_patched.img" (if it is recovery).

(Editor's note: The video is not in Spanish, but it's clear enough)

https://www.youtube.com/embed/gilwH8THNfI

Confused? We can't blame you. As if that were not enough, this guide is not suitable for all devices by any means. On some phones you must install the zip via recovery, then change its extension to APK and restart the installation. On other models, none of that is necessary.

For this and other reasons, we can only recommend one thing: Enter the waters of the XDA portal and search for information about your device, or visit YouTube to see if someone has shared a specific Magisk guide for your hardware. Good luck!

Official Magisk site: Click here