Skip to content

About

Jump to bottom
thedjchi edited this page Feb 13, 2026 · 1 revision

What is Shizuku?

Shizuku is an Android app that makes it easier for other apps to provide users with powerful features that require ADB/root privileges.

Why would I need Shizuku?

Some apps have features that require Shizuku. If you would like to use that feature, then you will need to install this app.

Why does Shizuku exist?

Before Shizuku, apps had two options to implement ADB/root features:

  1. Execute shell commands as a superuser. This limits the feature to root users, even if ADB would have sufficient privileges
  2. Implement an ADB client to execute ADB shell commands. This makes the feature available to all users, BUT:
    • Only works on Android 11+
    • Users must restart each ADB client after each reboot (many apps implementing their own ADB client makes this a long task)
    • Users must go through the one-time ADB pairing process for each app
    • Time-consuming for developers to implement

Shizuku acts as a bridge between normal apps and privileged system APIs. Instead of implementing their own backend to call privileged APIs, apps can ask Shizuku's privileged service to call the API. For the app, it's almost identical to calling the official API as a system app. This service can be started with root, an ADB client via wireless debugging, or a PC. This workflow provides many benefits:

  • Works on Android 7+
  • Non-root users only need to manage/restart one ADB client for all apps
  • Non-root users only need to go through the one-time ADB pairing process once
  • Developers can easily provide ADB/root features to all users with minimal overhead

How does Shizuku work on a technical level?

Shizuku will guide you to start a privileged service with either ADB (for non-rooted devices) or root. Once this service is running, it will send its "binder" (i.e., an interface for other apps to communicate with the privileged service) to apps which have requested the Shizuku permission.

Apps which have been granted the Shizuku permission can use the binder to call system APIs through the privileged service. The privileged service will return the results back to the app.

Why should I install this fork over the original version?

  • More reliable - Watchdog, TCP mode, and the improved start on boot ensure near 100% uptime. The privileged service in the original app often stops without warning, which is frustrating for users who need Shizuku running all the time.
  • More flexible - This fork allows automation apps to start/stop Shizuku on-demand, and TCP mode lets you restart Shizuku without Wi-Fi (it only requires Wi-Fi for the first start after a reboot).
  • More secure - Shizuku can auto-disable USB debugging when stopped, reducing the risk of attacks when you aren't using Shizuku.
  • Stealth mode* - Shizuku can hide itself from certain apps (e.g., banking apps) that don't work when Shizuku is installed.
  • Compatible with more devices - This fork works on devices with MediaTek chips running Android 15+, as well as Android/Google TVs and VR headsets.
  • Constantly updated - Updates are released consistently, new features are always being added, and community feedback is valued! In contrast, the original app hasn't seen significant development since 2023.

*Currently in beta

Clone this wiki locally