Leaving rooted Android
2025-11-24
I've got a new phone - a Pixel 7 Pro that someone broke, my grandpa bought cheaply and repaired. First thing I did was to install GrapheneOS. The biggest change about that switch is that GrapheneOS doesn't provide root access, and apparently for a good reason. In this blog post, I'll list every single tool I use that uses root privileges, to see what am I going to lose by switching to a non-rooted system.
KernelSU modules
There are two main ways of utilizing root access: Modules and Superuser apps.
Superuser apps are regular android apps that you grant root access. Some of them require root access for a few features but work without it. Like a file manager that can browse restricted parts of the filesystem if granted root access.
Root modules, on the other hand, are scripts specific to the root method you use - KernelSU Next in my case (but most people know Magisk). They usually do some deeper system changes, and aren't expected to have an UI (but some of them do). Here are the modules I have installed at the time of preparing to switch to the new phone:
- JamesDSP Manager
- https://github.com/james34602/JamesDSPManager
- Advanced audio processing engine
- I used it as an equalizer.
- Overkill running in background.
- I don't have great headphones and lossless music streaming, didn't notice a difference really.
- It broke and I didn't bother fixing it.
- there's a rootless version with some limitations that are not dealbreakers for me
- ReZygisk
- https://github.com/PerformanC/ReZygisk
- Required mainly for LSPosed to work (see LSPosed modules)
- RVX YT Music, Youtube RVX LITE
- RVX stands for ReVanced Extended, which is a modified version of the ReVanced patches.
- These allow you to patch various applications (YouTube and YouTube Music for me) to remove ads, unlock premium features and add various enhancements.
- I use root modules distributed through Telegram channel not affiliated with ReVanced or Revanced Extended 💀
- I use these just for the convenience, I can just compile ReVanced (Extended) APKs.
- WiFi Password Viewer for MMRL
- https://mmrl.dev/repository/grdoglgmr/mmrl_wpd
- Cool but I never actually used it.
- Zygisk - LSPosed
- See LSPosed modules
- Tricky Store OSS, PlayIntegrityFix-NEXT
- https://github.com/EricInacio01/PlayIntegrityFix-NEXT
- https://github.com/beakthoven/TrickyStoreOSS/releases
- For Play Integrity, doesn't even work half the time.
- AshLooper - Boot Loop protection
- https://github.com/RipperHybrid/AshLooper
- Disables root modules on bootloop - I won't need it when I won't have any root modules.
- Lightweight Exynos Undervolter (LEU)
- It's supposed to improve battery life by undervolting the CPU.
- Only works on Samsung (Exynos chip).
- Didn't notice any difference using it.
- Zygisk - Sui
- https://github.com/RikkaApps/Sui
- Like Shizuku but for giving root access
- Unmaintained, stopped displaying the list of apps 💀 (so I can't check or revoke their privileges)
Wow! It looks like I could do just fine without those modules. The only issue could be LSPosed, so let's see what do I use that for.
LSPosed modules
LSPosed (JingMatrix's fork) is a modern reimplementation of the Xposed framework. Xposed is a framework for modules that can change the behavior of the system and apps without touching any APKs.
For example: the ReVanced apps are traditionally modified by applying patches and compiling new patched APKs. LSPosed module could apply those same patches to regular apps installed from the Play Store, while not modyfiing them permanently. It can also hook multiple apps, for general patches like blocking screenshot detection.
- Free Notifications
- https://github.com/binarynoise/XposedModulets
- Being able to disable some annoying persistent system notifications is great in theory.
- I remember using it only once, so not a big deal.
- Hide My Applist
- https://github.com/Dr-TSNG/Hide-My-Applist
- Never needed it for any app, actually broke my banking app.
- Another app that went closed-source.
- NoStorageRestrict
- https://github.com/Xposed-Modules-Repo/com.github.dan.nostoragerestrict
- Another nice freedom to have, but I've never used it.
- The restrictions might be there for a reason actually.
- AlternativeUnlockXposed
- https://github.com/leohearts/AlternativeUnlockXposed
- Playing rickroll when 12345678 password is entered is funny for like a week.
- I disabled it soon (LSPosed modules of course eat some battery).
- GrapheneOS has it's own feature for duress password that wipes the device instead of unlocking it.
- CaptureSposed
- https://github.com/99keshav99/CaptureSposed
- This might be the most useful module from the list, but I personally never needed it
- XPL-EX
- https://github.com/0bbedCode/XPL-EX
- Never bothered to learn how to use it.
- InstaEclipse
- https://github.com/ReSo7200/InstaEclipse
- Patches Instagram to remove ADs, disable reels, and add some privacy enhancements.
- I need this.
- I hope I'll be able to make regular APKs with LSPatch (JingMatrix's fork). EDIT: Wile it's not possible to patch standalone Instagram APK with InstaEclipse embedded, it works with non-root LSPatch manager.
- https://github.com/ReSo7200/InstaEclipse
- Re:Telegram
- https://github.com/Sakion-Team/Re-Telegram
- Useful, but I don't use Telegram that much.
- Lucky Patcher
- see Lucky Patcher in Apps with Superuser rights
Apps with Superuser rights
- Shizuku
- https://github.com/RikkaApps/Shizuku
- Allows you to share ADB access with apps.
- ADB allows you to do some restricted stuff on Android, not as much as root though.
- Can be used without root, setting it up is annoying every time you need to use it.
- OK for something like SD Maid SE, not for long running apps in the background, or things you need to do fast at the moment.
- Android USB Script, USB HID Client
- https://github.com/Netdex/android-usb-script
- https://github.com/Arian04/android-hid-client
- Neither works on the kernel I used.
- Mostly a gimmick, not really that useful.
- App Manager
- https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager
- So many features
- displays running apps
- app backup (with data)
- app usage
- also has a debloater
- Very impressive app!
- 10x better than the app manager in system settings.
- I will miss this app :(
- Some features will work without root, but probably not the most useful ones.
- FindMyDevice
- https://gitlab.com/fmd-foss/fmd-android
- Most of the functionality should be grantable without root.
- Material Files
- https://github.com/zhanghai/MaterialFiles
- My favorite file manager, even without root.
- With root, it can access all files on device (like files in app storage)
- Sometimes very useful:
- SD Maid SE
- https://github.com/d4rken-org/sdmaid-se
- I use it only once in a while.
- Most advanced features can be enabled with Shizuku, no problem since I don't need to run it often.
- Tasker
- https://tasker.joaoapps.com/
- Some features won't work (quite a lot)
- It's a paid app. I bought it two years ago, and created like 2 tasks.
- One of those apps that feel extremely useful, but you don't really use them that much.
- One less app to run in the background.
- Termux
- https://github.com/termux/termux-app
- Theoretically can do full linux distro chroot with root.
- Full linux distro doesn't really bring much advantage over normal termux - In which I have tmux, neovim, python, node, even Zola SSG so I can live preview my website changes.
- Running full linux distro is harsh on system resources, eats up disk space, and drains battery. Total overkill.
- Lucky Patcher
https://luckypatchers.com/- Russian closed source app to patch apps and games, mainly to unlock paid content and get free coins/gems/whatever.
- Security concerns
- Unstable
- I'm richer, so I don't need to crack apps that often.
- I mean I'm not rich, but I can pay $4 for a good app.
- Many apps can't be cracked anymore, LuckyPatcher's best years are over anyway.
- Classic Power Menu
- https://github.com/KieronQuinn/ClassicPowerMenu
- Cool but I don't really use it.
- Takes a bit too long to run the first time after reboot, which is most of the time I open the power menu.
- MMRL, WebUI X
- https://github.com/DerGoogler/MMRL
- https://mmrl.dev/guide/webuix/
- Only useful with root.
Shizuku (Sui) enabled apps
Shizuku grants ADB, whether Sui grants root acces. In reality, most apps that use Sui can also use Shizuku, usually for the exact same features.
Will work with Shizuku
(They need it for one-time setup, or something I do once in a while)
- Lemmy Redirect, Mastodon Redirect, PeerTube Redirect
- https://github.com/zacharee/MastodonRedirect
- One-time setup
- Install with Options
- https://github.com/zacharee/InstallWithOptions
- I use it only once in a while.
- Canta
- https://github.com/samolego/Canta
- Debloating is not needed on GrapheneOS.
- aShell You
- https://github.com/DP-Hridayan/aShellYou
- I don't need to run adb commands often.
- It's usually used for granting some unusual permission. (WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS)
- SaverTuner
- https://codeberg.org/s1m/savertuner
- Needs the WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS permission.
- One-time setup.
- The Pixel 7 Pro has a pretty good battery life with GrapheneOS, so it's default power saving mode will probably be enough.
Used Shizuku for installing apps without user confirmation
On newer android versions, you only have to confirm once for each app (store), and that gives the store permanent permission to update that app. Thus there's no need for root for installing.
- Bunny Manager
- https://github.com/bunny-mod/BunnyManager
- Also unmaintained.
- Aurora Store
- Droid-ify
- Obtainium
Didn't actually use them
These are interesting, because when I first rooted my phone, I was really excited about them. Before that, I've always stumbled upon them in some F-Droid repo, and thought how great it would be if I had root and could use them. Well, turns out they aren't so useful as they seem, and I stopped using most of these apps shortly after I installed them.
- SystemUI Tuner
- LogFox
- Geto
- Extinguish
- Blocker
- https://github.com/lihenggui/blocker
- I was not careful and managed to break QR code payment in my banking app for a few months with the help of this app.
- Smartspacer
Will miss
- Hail
- https://github.com/aistra0528/Hail
- Freezes apps.
- I use it to freeze proprietary apps that I unfortunately need every so often.
I don't want them to have any chance to run unless I specifically start them - that's why I freeze them with Hail.
- Google Maps
- Google Home (for Chromecast)
- Google (for Lens)
- Spotify (for Jam)
- Before you lecture me on how I shouldn't use these apps at all: Especially in the case of Maps and Lens, there are emergency situations where getting somewhere quickly (a hospital, a pharmacy), or identifying some object quickly (unknown pills that your child swallowed) is infinitely more important than privacy. With Hail, it's like if the apps were uninstalled when they are frozen, but I can still launch them immediately.
- I freeze and unfreeze often, so starting Shizuku every time is not an option.
- alternatives:
- Hail could be used with Device Admin / Dhizuku, but with some annoying side effects.
- Based on GrapheneOS's response in this thread, I understand that freezing apps might be completely unnecessary, and I can just forbid them running in the background.
Conclusion
As I'm finishing this blog post, I've been using the new Pixel 7 Pro with GrapheneOS for more then two months. I don't really miss the features I lost with giving up root access, which was very counterintuitive for me, given the amount of them that I used. What's maybe more surprising is that I miss some non-root features much more - features that I didn't even know were Samsung-specific. Given enough caffeine, I'll try to write a blog post about that. Some day...
Thank you for reading! I don't have a comment system on my website yet, but here's a link to a Mastodon post where you can comment. Feel free to comment any corrections, recommendations, or just thoughts that crossed your mind while reading this.