Using root on Android can be a tightrope walk: one update to an app and suddenly your bank is no longer reachable. I’ve tried a handful of different implementations over the years, but I’m currently using Magisk Kitsune. It’s a new fork in the branch, but what it really brings is stability. Stability that I didn’t realise I was missing.
This is like an official Magisk, without the unfinished features and bugs. The dev of this version is huskydg and claims to focus heavily on real world usability. After installing it on my custom ROM Pixel, my device feels much faster right from the first reboot.
Here’s what makes Kitsune stand out in my use:
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Root Stability You Can Trust: It just works. Fewer random root drops.
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Smarter Hiding: Made improvements to Zygisk and DenyList to try and fool my most stubborn apps.
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Play Integrity Fix: Nice catch with that one. We’re more lenient about getting around that annoying integrity check now.
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Module Management: Cleaner interface, fewer conflicts with my essential modules.
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Faster Boot: Seriously, my phone boots quicker with less root-related drama.
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Regular Updates: You get fresh, experimental Magisk features faster.
The good news is that the recent updates make the Android Oreo Developer Preview feel rather secure. The various permission popups were much more clear as to what content would be accessible when you granted root access to an app. Rather than feeling like a complete darkart, as they did with previous versions, things felt less unknown, so maybe a bit less uncertain to messing around with.
Kitsune vs Magisk
Here's a comparison of the main differences:
If you’re tired of rooting roulette, give Kitsune a try. It transformed my rooted device from a project back into a reliable phone. Just remember, always backup first, no tool is magic, but this one is clever.