How to Install Magisk, the Universal Systemless Interface for Android

Android is getting securer with each new release and is increasingly posing a challenge for developers to gain root access on Android devices and alter system files.

Last year when Chainfire released systemless root with SuperSU, it was welcomed by the Android community with great enthusiasm. Systemless root by Chainfire allowed users to get root access without modifying the system partition, allowing uninterrupted installation for OTA updates even when the device is rooted.

Now come to August 2016, and we’ve an entire interface built upon systemless principles which is aimed to make custom MOD (even ROMs) available for Android device to go systemless. This new systemless interface is developed by topjohnwu over at xda and is being called Magisk — The Universal Systemless Interface.

Magisk is a systemless interface that developers can use to build custom MODs for Android devices without altering the system files. Check out the full feature log of Magisk:

  • Magic Mount: This feature will not only allow you to replace existing file and directories, but also support adding new files and directories into system!
    └ What this means is that all existing mods should all be possible to work systemless-ly!
  • Multiple Entry Points: If “Magic Mount” itself is still not powerful enough to accomplish your goal, Magisk provides several entry points for developers to run scripts at different boot times, making developers to do what ever they want at any time. It reliably blocks the boot process to continue before your scripts are done.
  • Remove verity / forceencrypt (both are configurable through .magisk file, same as SuperSU), patches sepolicy (to run scripts and support multiple root methods).
  • This means developers won’t need to worry about boot image modifications in the future!
  • Important mods like Root, Xposed etc. can all depend on the Magisk interface.
  • magisk.img (the place to store all your systemless mods) will resize automatically to support large mods, and reclaim the space after removing contents.

Download Magisk

Grab the Magisk installer zip from the download link below. Since Magisk is a developing project, newer versions will be releasing every then & now. Keep an eye over at this xda thread.

[icon name=”cloud-download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download Magisk v9 (.zip)

How to Install Magisk via TWRP Recovery

  1. Download and transfer the Magisk zip file from the download link above to your device’s storage.
  2. Boot your device into TWRP recovery.
  3. Tap on Install and select the Magisk zip file that you transferred to your device in Step 1.
  4. After selecting the .zip file, do Swipe to Confirm Flash on the bottom of screen to begin the flashing process.
  5. Once Magisk is flashed, you’ll get Reboot System option, select it.
  6. Now if you want systemless root through Magisk so you can use Android Pay and Play Pokemon Go while rooted, follow the link below:

[icon name=”hand-o-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]  How to Get Systemless Root with Magisk on Android

That’s all. Once you’ve Magisk systemless interface installed on your device, you can use several MODs build upon it without interfering with the system files on your Android device.

Happy Androiding!

Posted by
Shivam Malani

Shivam is our resident designer and web developer who also enjoys writing. He loves to meditate, drive on the freeways and hunt for snipers during his Call Of Duty playtime. Email: [email protected]

31 Comments

  1. I flashed this Zip file of magisk to Samsung Galaxy S6, and got bricked . Users beware

    1. You probably did something wrong on your end and I highly doubt you bricked the phone. Youd have to do some drastic sh*t to actually brick a phone. You probably just need to reflash the device. Download Odin and your factory firmware, boot the phone into download mode and flash the image.

  2. I flashed this Zip file of magisk to Samsung Galaxy S6, and got bricked . Users beware

    1. You probably did something wrong on your end and I highly doubt you bricked the phone. Youd have to do some drastic sh*t to actually brick a phone. You probably just need to reflash the device. Download Odin and your factory firmware, boot the phone into download mode and flash the image.

  3. I too flashed this Magisk zip to my micromax unite 2 a106 while it’s on custom rom 6.0.1 & now my phone is bricked & not even booting into recovery mode how can I reset it.

  4. I too flashed this Magisk zip to my micromax unite 2 a106 while it’s on custom rom 6.0.1 & now my phone is bricked & not even booting into recovery mode how can I reset it.

  5. Yeah, right after installing Magisk via TWRP and rebooting my phone does not respond to any screen touch. I had to go back to recovery and reinstall the Android 5.1 to get the phone back working.

  6. Yeah, right after installing Magisk via TWRP and rebooting my phone does not respond to any screen touch. I had to go back to recovery and reinstall the Android 5.1 to get the phone back working.

  7. Hey fool ! You did not say that your phone should be unrooted and bootloader unlocked. If your phone is rooted or has xposed and things installed you’ll surely “soft” brick your phone.

  8. Hey fool ! You did not say that your phone should be unrooted and bootloader unlocked. If your phone is rooted or has xposed and things installed you’ll surely “soft” brick your phone.

  9. thanks for your information dude !

  10. thanks for your information dude !

  11. How do i boot my device into TWRP recovery

    1. Hold Vol – and power button untill you feel 1 vibration, then release.

  12. How do i boot my device into TWRP recovery

    1. Andrius Paldavicius

      Hold Vol – and power button untill you feel 1 vibration, then release.

  13. I keep getting Updater process ended with error: 1 when trying to flash it

    1. Update your recovery. fixed it for me

  14. I keep getting Updater process ended with error: 1 when trying to flash it

      1. Update your recovery. fixed it for me

  15. Bricks the Moto G4 on Nougat. It’s fixable, but you have to reflash the OS and it’s just a pain in the arse.

    Nothing wants to flash correctly on Nougat.

  16. Bricks the Moto G4 on Nougat. It’s fixable, but you have to reflash the OS and it’s just a pain in the arse.

    Nothing wants to flash correctly on Nougat.

  17. thanks mate, i will try this Magisk, btw how about the interface?

  18. thanks mate, i will try this Magisk, btw how about the interface?

  19. What if there is no TWRP for my device, no CWM, no stock rom, no root, no scatter file, no flash tool, nothing?! I know, I throw the device out the window and watch it scatter in 100000 pieces and then I take a holiday from stupid devices that just waste peoples time. Yes.

  20. Coenraad Loubser

    What if there is no TWRP for my device, no CWM, no stock rom, no root, no scatter file, no flash tool, nothing?! I know, I throw the device out the window and watch it scatter in 100000 pieces and then I take a holiday from stupid devices that just waste peoples time. Yes.

  21. UNLOCK BOOTLOADER FIRST!!

    Otherwise you’ll have a very expensive paper weight

  22. UNLOCK BOOTLOADER FIRST!!

    Otherwise you’ll have a very expensive paper weight

  23. links are missing

Comments are closed.