Shizuku

In the Android world, power doesn’t come from the device you own but from how much control you have over it. Some people spend their lives just “allowing access” and think that certain tasks, which seem exclusive to root, require some grand, highly technical process. But then, Shizuku comes along, no root needed, no unlocked bootloader required, yet it enables a slew of apps to perform feats that seem almost impossible.

Introduce about Shizuku

Shizuku is one of the most prominent tools in the modern Android modding community. Unlike typical apps you’d find on the Play Store, Shizuku acts as an intermediary layer, allowing other apps to interact with the Android system at a deeper level. What’s special is that this tool grants system-level access to client apps without requiring root, only needing the user to enable ADB (Android Debug Bridge) mode.

How it works?

At the system level, Shizuku creates a service that communicates via Android Binder IPC, a standard protocol that lets Android processes talk to each other. When a third-party app wants to use high-level APIs typically restricted by the operating system, Shizuku steps in as the middleman to relay the request.

To get this service running, you simply start it via ADB, which can be done over Wi-Fi if your device supports it. After that, any app integrated with Shizuku can send requests to use system APIs through this active service.

For an easy example, take Swift Backup, a powerful backup tool. When granted access via Shizuku, it can back up and restore app data (including user data) without root, a task that was nearly impossible before without deep device modification.

System API integration

Shizuku’s standout feature is granting system-level permissions to third-party apps. Specifically, apps integrated with Shizuku can call APIs like PackageManager, DevicePolicyManager, and UsageStatsManager, APIs that Android typically blocks without root or system UID privileges.

A clear example is the AppOps app by Rikka Apps, a deep-dive app permission management tool. When paired with Shizuku, AppOps can access and modify individual app permission settings, even those not visible in Android’s default user interface.

Another app, Battery Guru, uses Shizuku to monitor and adjust the system’s battery optimization behavior more precisely, as it’s allowed to read detailed battery usage metrics through restricted system APIs.

Multiple service startup methods

Shizuku supports various ways to start its core service, letting you choose the method best suited to your device’s conditions:

• ADB over Wi-Fi: On Android 11 and above, ADB can work wirelessly. Users just need to enable Developer Options and use Shizuku’s ADB Wi-Fi feature to start the service without a cable.
• Root mode (if available): If the device is rooted, Shizuku can automatically start the service on every reboot without needing ADB.

Shizuku’s interface also clearly displays the service’s status, making it easy to check if it’s active, if there are any errors, and which client apps are connected to it.

List of Shizuku-Supported apps

Far from just being a backend platform, Shizuku is increasingly supported by many apps, creating an ecosystem of powerful tools that don’t require root:

• Swift Backup: Backs up and restores apps along with user data.
• DarQ: Forces any app to run in dark mode, even if the app doesn’t support it.
• Hail: Freezes apps to save battery, similar to Greenify but without root.
• LADB: Allows sending ADB commands directly on the device, paired with Shizuku to execute system commands without a PC.
• App Manager: Uninstalls system apps and edits APK metadata in detail.
• JamesDSP: A powerful audio processor for Android with deeper equalizer customization.

All these apps are listed in the GitHub project Awesome Shizuku, a continuously community-updated catalog of compatible tools.

Streamlined permission system

Shizuku doesn’t operate covertly. All access must be manually approved by the user. After starting the service, you need to grant permission to each specific app, and you can revoke access at any time from Shizuku’s main interface.

This prevents any random app from exploiting system APIs without user consent. The permission approval system also lets you control access levels clearly, which is especially crucial on non-rooted devices where granting high-level permissions can be hard to manage if something goes wrong.

Security by design

When a tool can grant system-level access to third-party apps without root, the first question any tech-savvy person asks is: “Wait, is there a security flaw?”. The answer is that Shizuku is designed to minimize security risks intentionally.

The ADB-based permission system is already a user-controlled method. Having to connect via cable (or Wi-Fi ADB), enable Developer Options, confirm the connection, start the service, and manually approve each app, these steps are a bit tedious, but they form a “wall” that prevents random apps from automatically requesting access without your knowledge.

Moreover, Shizuku’s service doesn’t auto-restart after a reboot (unless using root mode). This ensures that if you don’t actively enable it, the system reverts to its normal state after each restart, like a soft reset of system privileges.

Download Shizuku APK for Android

If you’re using apps like Swift Backup, AppOps, or LADB without Shizuku, honestly, you’re only hearing half the song. And if you’re a developer looking to make your app interact with the Android system like a rooted pro, don’t hesitate, Shizuku is the golden bridge you’ve been searching for.