Magisk is the way to root your phone as well as to add special programs called magisk-modules; tiny programs to tweak the functionality of your android phone, change the interface and add customization options.
The number one benefit of using Magisk framework is installing a mod that does a thing or two. So if you want to change your notification bar, add traffic speed; Magisk is the thing you need. You don’t have to make system-wide changes, just install the mod and it’ll do the work you seek. The Magisk installer is an app that you have to install after flashing its framework using a custom recovery. After that, you can use it to search (and install) little mods (or say programs) individually. These kinds of mods do certain things, some of them modify the interface, add soft-nav keys, show traffic speed on the status bar, hide the clock and perhaps hundreds more.
What is Magisk and why you want to use modules?
Remember there was a time fair routing was only possible with supersu and superuser applications, Magisk is just a modern replacement for the same purpose. It’s an entire open-source framework that allows users to root and customize their Android mobile phone operating system. While it allows modifications to the system the framework doesn’t change the Android System’s partition in any way.
| Magisk 22 | Magisk Manager |
|---|---|
| App Size and Version | 6.41MB |
| Supported Android | 5+ |
| Developer | Topjohnwu |
| Total no. of Downloads | 50M+, download page |
Things to do before installing Magisk Modules.
Since you can easily roll-back installed modules, don’t back up your device data as it can be overkill. There might be an incompatibility with a particular module to your Android version. In that case, you open the Magisk Installer app, from the left sidebar choose Downloads, and uninstall/disable the module causing issues.
15 hand-picked Magisk Modules to try
Without modules, Magisk is empty. There are more than 1500+ modules for it, and we are not counting the number of unofficial modules. We have chosen the best-Magisk modules; you might want to install.
1. YouTube Vanced, download
First things first, it’s a modded version of youtube with adblocking (no ads, channel brand, end-screen visuals) with support background playback support. That way if your Android supports Picture in picture mode, Vanced youtube will work. While you could install Youtube Vanced without root, this Magisk module replaces Youtube with Vanced version. Choose from dark and black themes available for all (ARM, ARM64, and ARMx86_64) CPU architecture mobile phones.
The PIP mode Android 8.0 to work, moreover it has brightness and volume control with swipe gesture.
2. Call Recorder, download
It’s a widely used function for many reasons, most stock ROM doesn’t have this option to respect users’ privacy and some give feedback to the other user that their call is being recorded. This is a good solution where this magisk module runs quietly in the background and when you receive or make a call this will automatically e record and save it on the storage. Moreover, you get to search through your recordings adding notes to them and cloud backup option.
3. Dolby Atmos, download
Try this mod, it is one of the best sound mods. This adds Dolby Atmos audio enhancements to devices that do not support it officially.
4. Emoji One and Oreo Emoji, download / Emoji One
If your phone is running on Nougat or lower, one thing you’ll quickly notice is that you don’t have those latest circular Emojis featured in Android Oreo. The new emoji consist of a round face, also Oreo introduced new emojis. Here is the thing, you can have those emoji on your Lollipop+ Android phone without updating your ROM. In fact, there might be not an Oreo ROM available for your mobile phone. In that case, it’s better to use this module to get Oreo-style emoji on your phone.
5. GravityBox, download
The Swiss knife kind of Android tweaks. It consists of Status bar tweaks, display tweaks, Power, lock-screen, and power tweaks. You can individually install the Gravity box as an extension; you can also install it as a Magisk module. Apps like Greenify utilizes Gravity Box to work better.
6. CrappaLinks, download (xposed)
When you open a link on your phone, it will open it in a browser instead of their app. For example, you click a youtube link, what’s the fun when the video opens in a new browser tab (18:9 screen users won’t like it). You may not want to install an app form the browser interface of the play store. So if you want to fix that, use this module to open links to their apps.
This is a problem with some apps (like Instagram) when you click on a link they will open that in browser windows within the app. However, you can open that link in your normal browser and it might redirect you to those apps, i.e. Youtube, play store.
7. QuickSwitch
Android pie recent app screen on your device’s custom launcher.
This module allows a user to give access to Quickstep (Android Pie recent) app screen to custom launchers. For example, it displays dock icons and search bar on recent screens on various Pixel phones. You can add this function to third-party launchers with help of this Magisk module. Note it required Magisk 17+ and a phone running on Android Pie.
8. SetDPI, download
It allows changing the DPI (known as dots per inch) of your device screen. Helpful if you want to make stuff bigger or smaller. This works on every phone running on Android 5.0+ with Magisk installed. Change DPI from 120 to 420, anything less than 240 makes contents smaller and should be done on a high PPI device.
9. Pix3lify [Unity], download
This module adds pixel features to any Android 8.0+ device. This includes Modded Pixel 2 Launcher, the fantastic Google wallpapers app, icons fetched from the GApps package). Full pixel system accent, Google lens (you), and more pixel-only wallpapers through Google wallpaper app. In addition to that, the Google assistant has Google sans font family, pixel audios (ringtone, notification, alarms). This module will also enable camera 2 API support.
10. Netflix Enabler, download
Netflix restricts rooted devices from streaming to prevent privacy. Thie modules will allow rooted devices to stream Netflix, no more error 5.2. You can also make the Netflix app into thinking your phone is not rooted. For that open, the Magisk installer application, select the hide option, and choose Netflix app. That will prevent the app from knowing your phone is rooted. Some other applications like Google Tez also do not work if it recognizes your phone is rooted, you can apply the same in those cases.
Otherwise, you can just go to the Magisk app, then Magisk Hide, and select “Netflix” or any other streaming app.
11. Enable Google Lens in Google Photos, download
Update: Google Photos is rolled out on a wide range of devices to have Google lens function within Google Photos.
You can use the Google lens feature in Google photos to get Useful information when you took a picture of a business card, book, Landmark of a building, painting any museum. The Google lens scans the picture and gives more details about the picture. With time Google will roll out the feature to flagship smartphones and then eventually to all Android devices just like they did with Google assistant.
12. Fingerprint Scanner Booster, download
Unless you are using a smartphone that features Ultra fasting fingerprint unlock, you can use this module to speed up the process. Boosts Fingerprint sensor’s responsiveness by prioritizing its process. The fingerprint scanner process on Oneplus and Xiaomi devices is faster compared to other devices. If your device happens to struggle and keep you waiting when authenticating fingerprint this module might save you seconds.
13. Google Framework, download
Forgot flashing Gapps? Do not worry you can still use Google apps. Use this module as GApps alternative when you don’t want (or forgot) to flash it, but want to use Google apps like Youtube and Google Dialer. Otherwise Google framework and OpenGApps, google apps won’t work on your phone.
Some people have low-RAM mobile and some try everything to always get a higher screen on time. The reason can be anything to avoid installing the Gapps. Even the lightest Gapps package is around 100 MB but if you want to go a step further check out this module.
14. Max Resolution for YouTube, download
We all know better resolution means better clarity. If you have a 1080p mobile screen, then YouTube only allows you to watch videos at 1080p resolution even if a video is uploaded in 4K resolution. This is a myth that if you have a 1080p screen and you watch a 2k video on it, the experience will be the same as if the video is 1080p. That’s not true at all. For better viewing pleasure this will unlock 2k resolution on all devices and 4k res on supported.
15. Doze for Google Play services, download
The Doze feature provides battery savings for your phone when it is inactive. The battery use of the Google Play service is beyond the system’s ability to optimize. Go to Settings then Battery Optimisation; you will see do not optimize under Google Play Store, or the Optimize button will be grayed out. The battery won’t be used as much by Google Play Store, and that’s a good thing because it’s one of many services that consistently works. The Google Play Store, for example, lets you install apps on your Android phone using a computer.
Some more Magisk modules to check.
Advanced Charging controller Maximizes battery capacity by limiting charging current with temperature and voltage Triggers.
LSpeed: it’s an All-in-One kernel solution that can help you maximize performance according to various situations. It has predefined 4 modes (Default, power saving, balanced and performance mode) and if you want to play with the settings you can do with user-defined settings.
YoutubeAdway: Just like the name YouTube Ad-away is a module that kicks ads from the Youtube app. When you watch videos less often you might not need it but if you find yourself tinkering on YouTube, save some time and watch more videos. For a better experience, check the modded version of the YouTube app (#9) that comes simultaneously with powerful adblocking.
Related: 10 Best Custom Android 10 ROM Projects
Conclusion – Magisk-is-cool you should have it
Magisk Framework was built by an XDA developer and is systemless. The new revamped version allows us to manage root permission and install modules and effectively remove them if something goes wrong or your expectations. Resurrection Remix, a popular Custom ROM, includes it within the ROM, so you don’t have to install it separately. You can download the Magisk Framework and install it with the Magisk installer app, and you can install modules to get features you like, personalize, and tune your device in many ways.
Which Magisk module(s) are you using and which one(s) do you think are helpful
Best,,