Root BlueStacks 5+ Rooting Guide (2025 Edition) with Kitsune Mask

Root your BlueStacks 5+ or MSI App Player emulator effortlessly using Kitsune Mask! This guide provides a streamlined, text-based approach to granting root access to your instances, allowing you to run applications that require root privileges. No external tools are necessary – just your PC, Notepad, and Kitsune Mask!

Note

BlueStacks Root GUI (Recommended Method) My Python-based portable application allows you to toggle root access and enable read/write (R/W) permissions for your BlueStacks and MSI App Player instances with simple button clicks. It automatically detects all instances and has been recently updated to fix critical bugs and improve reliability.

For an easier experience, check it out at BlueStacks-Root-GUI.

Important

Tested Versions:

This guide is verified to work on BlueStacks App Player 5.22.0.1102 and MSI App Player 5.10.0.1085, supporting Android 9, 11, and 13. This tutorial assumes you are using a master instance like Rvc64 (Android 11).

Warning

Understanding Kitsune Mask and BlueStacks Partitions:

Kitsune Mask is a systemless root tool. However, BlueStacks partitions are initially read-only, which prevents a direct installation. This guide uses a simple configuration file edit (via Notepad) to temporarily enable read/write permissions, allowing Kitsune Mask to be installed on the system partition.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• Administrator Rights: You need administrative access to modify system files in C:\ProgramData.
• Kitsune Mask APK: Download the latest APK from the KitsuneMagisk repository.
• Fresh BlueStacks/MSI Installation (Recommended): For the most consistent results, start with a clean installation.

Expected Outcome

Upon successful completion of this guide, your BlueStacks or MSI App Player instance will be fully rooted with Kitsune Mask.

Summary of Steps

Here's a quick overview of the rooting process. See the "Detailed Steps" section below for a comprehensive walkthrough:

• Step 1: Prepare: Cleanly install BlueStacks or MSI App Player.
• Step 2: Modify Configuration: Edit bluestacks.conf to enable root access features.
• Step 3: Enable R/W: Adjust settings in instance files to allow read/write access to system partitions.
• Step 4: Install Kitsune Mask: Install Kitsune Mask directly to the /system partition and revert configuration changes.

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🛠️ Detailed Steps

Instance Naming Convention: This tutorial uses the following naming conventions for master instances:

Master Instances:
  - Tiramisu64  = Android 13 (beta)
  - Rvc64       = Android 11
  - Pie64       = Android 9

Adapt the instance names according to your setup.

Step 1: Prepare

1. Fully Uninstall Previous Versions:
   • Use the official tool to completely uninstall all previous BlueStacks installations.
2. Install the Latest Version:
   • Download from the official website: BlueStacks or MSI App Player.

Step 2: Modify BlueStacks Config

1. Locate the Main Configuration File:
   • For BlueStacks 5, navigate to C:\ProgramData\BlueStacks_nxt.
   • For MSI App Player, navigate to C:\ProgramData\BlueStacks_msi5.
2. Edit with Notepad:
   • Open bluestacks.conf using a text editor with administrator rights.
3. Modify Configuration Values:
   • Find and change the following two lines. If they don't exist, add them.
   • Change bst.feature.rooting="0" to bst.feature.rooting="1".
   • Change bst.instance.Rvc64.enable_root_access="0" to bst.instance.Rvc64.enable_root_access="1".

     Note: Replace Rvc64 with your target instance name (e.g., Pie64, Tiramisu64, or a custom name like Rvc64_1).

4. Save Changes:
   • Save the modified bluestacks.conf file.

Step 3: Enable R/W

1. Navigate to the Instance Folder:
   • For BlueStacks 5: C:\ProgramData\BlueStacks_nxt\Engine\Rvc64
   • For MSI App Player: C:\ProgramData\BlueStacks_msi5\Engine\Rvc64

     Note: Replace Rvc64 with your target instance folder name. Cloned instances may have names like Rvc64_1.

2. Modify the .bstk.in file:
   • Open Android.bstk.in with a text editor. This file is always in the master instance folder.
   • For the location="fastboot.vdi" and location="Root.vhd" entries, change the attribute from type="Readonly" to type="Normal".
   • Example:

     -         <HardDisk uuid="{...}" location="fastboot.vdi" format="VDI" type="Readonly" />
     -         <HardDisk uuid="{...}" location="Root.vhd" format="VHD" type="Readonly"/>
     +         <HardDisk uuid="{...}" location="fastboot.vdi" format="VDI" type="Normal" />
     +         <HardDisk uuid="{...}" location="Root.vhd" format="VHD" type="Normal"/>

   • Save the file.
3. Modify the .bstk file:
   • Open Rvc64.bstk (or your instance's .bstk file) with a text editor.
   • Repeat the same change: set fastboot.vdi and Root.vhd to type="Normal".
   • Save the file.

Step 4: Install Kitsune Mask

1. Download the Kitsune Mask APK file.
2. Launch the target instance from the BlueStacks/MSI Multi-Instance Manager and install the APK.
3. Open the Kitsune Mask application.
4. Root using Kitsune Mask:
   • In the app, select the Install option.
   • Tap Next.
   • Select the Direct Install to /system option.

     Note: If this option is missing, completely close and reopen the Kitsune Mask app inside the emulator. This usually resolves the issue.

5. Let the installation complete, then close the BlueStacks emulator completely.
6. Revert Configuration Changes:
   • Open bluestacks.conf again (from Step 2).
   • Change bst.instance.Rvc64.enable_root_access="1" back to "0".
   • Crucially, also ensure bst.feature.rooting="1" is changed back to "0".
   • Save the file. You must leave the R/W changes from Step 3 as type="Normal".
7. Done! Launch the instance. Kitsune Mask should be installed, and root access will work.

Troubleshooting

• Kitsune Mask Installation Issues:

  • Problem: Kitsune Mask fails to install, or the "Direct Install to /system" option is missing.
  • Solution: This almost always means the R/W changes in Step 3 were not done correctly, or BlueStacks was not fully closed before making the changes. Double-check that fastboot.vdi and Root.vhd are set to type="Normal" in both the .bstk.in and .bstk files.

• "Permission Denied" when saving files:

  • Problem: You cannot save bluestacks.conf or other files.
  • Solution: You must open your text editor (like Notepad) as an administrator. Right-click the editor's icon and select "Run as administrator" before opening the file.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I can't find the C:\ProgramData folder! A: This folder is hidden by default in Windows. In File Explorer, go to the View tab and check the box for Hidden items.

Q: This all seems terribly difficult; isn't there a better way? A: Yes! The manual steps are here for transparency, but for a much easier process, use my BlueStacks-Root-GUI tool. It handles all the configuration file editing with simple buttons.

Q: Can I reverse this rooting process? A: Yes. In the GUI, simply toggle Root off. Manually, change the values in bluestacks.conf back to "0" and uninstall the Kitsune Mask app from the instance.

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