How to use Shizuku for ADB rootless mods on any Android device

In the earlier days of Android, modding your device was a popular hobby that gave you more control and unlocked features not found in stock Android. Custom ROMs transformed your experience with Android OS. However, with every new major release of Android, there are updates that make modding less likely for the average user. Today, you can customize the most affordable Android phones without jumping through extra hoops. Using Shizuku, you can mod your device for more power, and we show you how in the guide below.

What makes Shizuku different?

Those who mod their Android devices are known as power users, but Shizuku changed how on-device modding works. This allows everyone to tweak and mod their devices, whether beginners or advanced users.

The Shizuku app uses a unique service that allows third-party apps access to system-level Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). It achieves this through the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) interface. ADB commands are limited by nature. However, combining them with system APIs gives you more control over your device. One of the biggest appeals of Shizuku is that you don’t need root access like you did in the past.

Install the Shizuku app and get your device ready

Install the Shizuku app before using custom mods or tweaks on your Android device. Short of having full root access integrated with the Shizuku service, using the ADB interface for the setup process is the next best option. Shizuku uses the hidden developer options on your Android device for the non-root methods in this guide. We show you everything you need to know in the section below.

To install Shizuku and activate the developer options, do the following:

1. Install the Shizuku app from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the Settings app on your device.
3. Go to System > About Phone.
4. Scroll down to the Build number section and rapidly tap it seven times to continue.

   

   

5. Enter your PIN or password as needed.
6. The You are now a developer message pops up on your screen.

   

The method to turn on the developer options can differ slightly based on the Android device manufacturer. However, the process is the same, regardless of your device model. If you find a
Build number
section for your Android version, tap it rapidly seven times to activate the developer options.

With the developer options activated, you’re done with basic preparations. You can move on to setting up Shizuku.

How to set up Shizuku with the wireless debugging feature

Starting with Android 11, Google added the wireless debugging feature to the developer options, which allows you to execute ADB commands over Wi-Fi. Before this, the only option was connecting your Android device to a computer via a USB cable.

The learning curve with the ADB interface is steep enough to prevent the average user from trying it out. However, the on-device wireless debugging feature makes it easy for anyone to use ADB commands. No computer or complicated steps are required. Shizuku relies on this feature to keep the setup process simple.

Pair your device with Shizuku

The next part involves getting a unique pairing code and linking your device with the Shizuku app. When you complete this step, you won’t do it again unless something changes.

You can use Shizuku with the wireless debugging feature by doing the following:

1. Open the Shizuku app.
2. Scroll to the Start via Wireless debugging section.
3. Tap the Pairing button.
4. Tap Developer options at the bottom.

   

   

5. Scroll down until you find the Wireless debugging option.
6. Tap the Use wireless debugging button.

   

   

7. Check the Always allow on this network checkbox.
8. Tap Allow to turn on the feature.
9. Tap Pair device with pairing code to bring up the Pair with device popup.

   

   

Enter the pairing code and activate the Shizuku service

Now that you have the pairing code for linking Shizuku with your device, type or paste that code into the appropriate text field.

To pair your device with Shizuku and finish the setup, check out the following:

1. Enter the unique six-digit Wi-Fi pairing code as it appears in the Shizuku Pairing code notification textbox. If needed, swipe down on the status bar to the Shizuku notification, then tap Enter pairing code.
2. Enter the Wi-Fi pairing code and tap the Send button on the right to confirm. You’ll see a Pairing successful message if the pairing code is correct.
3. Your device is now synced with the Shizuku app.

   

   

Start the Shizuku background service

Now that your device has been synced with the Shizuku app, it’s time to start the Shizuku background service.

To start the Shizuku service, do the following:

1. Tap the back arrow or gesture a few times until you return to the Shizuku app main screen. You might have to swipe away the Pairing successful notification before you can do that.
2. Under the Start via Wireless debugging section, tap the Start button.
3. The Shizuku service automatically starts on a new screen. It closes when the process is complete.

   

   

4. Scroll to the top to see the Shizuku is running status with a version number followed by adb.

   

If you’re stuck at the Searching for wireless debugging service message when activating Shizuku, toggle Wireless debugging by following these steps:

1. Tap Developer options in the message popup.
2. Turn off the Wireless debugging toggle switch.

   

   

3. Turn on the Wireless debugging toggle switch.

   

4. Tap the back arrow to return to the Shizuku app, and it starts the service.

Now that the Shizuku service is ready and waiting on your device, you can use it for any app or mod that supports it. You must start the service again after every reboot, so keep that in mind.

How to set up Shizuku with ADB commands on a computer

The wireless debugging feature is the best non-root method for most Shizuku users. However, some might prefer to use the ADB interface through a computer. The setup process involves more than the on-device wireless debugging feature introduced with Android 11. When you get past the initial setup phase, it becomes easier to use.

Download the platform-tools folder and start the setup process

In this part, you’ll download the platform-tools folder, which has everything you need to run ADB commands from your computer.

To start Shizuku with ADB commands on a computer, do the following:

1. Download the latest Android SDK platform-tools and extract the folder to your desktop for easy access.

   

2. Install the Google USB drivers if needed (for Windows users).
3. Turn on USB debugging on your Android device.
4. Open the Settings app, then go to System > Developer options.
5. Scroll down and tap the USB debugging option.
6. Tap OK to activate it.

   

   

Finish the ADB setup process and activate Shizuku

Now that the platform-tools folder is ready to go and USB debugging has been activated, you’ll link your computer with your phone. From there, you’ll run a specific ADB command to start the Shizuku service on your phone.

To finish the setup process and activate Shizuku, do the following:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via a USB cable.
2. On your Android device, confirm the fingerprint key for the computer by pressing Allow when required. Check the Always allow from this computer box to avoid potential connection issues.

   

3. Open a command window or terminal in the platform-tools folder. If you use Windows, click the address bar in the platform-tools folder, type cmd, and press Enter. This opens a new command window in the platform-tools folder.

   

4. To double-check that your device is connected through ADB, type adb devices in the command window or terminal, then press Enter. Initiating the ADB command asks you to confirm your computer’s fingerprint key if it didn’t appear earlier.
5. You’ll see a unique device identifier number under List of devices attached, letting you know it’s connected and recognized by the ADB interface.
6. Copy and paste this into the command window or terminal, then press Enter.

   adb shell sh /sdcard/Android/data/moe.shizuku.privileged.api/start.sh ​​​​​​

   On some platforms (especially Mac and Linux), enter ADB commands with “./” minus the quotes at the beginning for them to work correctly.

7. The command starts the Shizuku service on your Android device, showing an exit with 0 status within a few seconds. If you see this at the end, the service was successfully started, and you’re good to go.

   

8. Check your Shizuku app at the top, and you’ll see the Shizuku is running status with a version number followed by adb.

   

As with the wireless debugging feature, you must reactivate the Shizuku service each time you reboot your device. These two methods rely on the ADB interface, which only makes temporary changes to your device without root access. Since you don’t need to reboot that often these days, it shouldn’t be an issue.

How to use Shizuku in a terminal (optional)

If you want to use Shizuku in a terminal environment on Android, follow the in-app instructions by tapping Use Shizuku in terminal apps. It asks you to export and edit two files with the package name of your terminal app. Move them to a place where the terminal can find them. This is an advanced feature for people who like working with a command-line interface.

How to set up Shizuku with full root access

You don’t need root access to use Shizuku on your Android device. However, it’s the fastest route to activate the service. If your device allows it, the setup is as simple as pressing a button, and you can keep the Shizuku service activated after a reboot.

If you want to use Shizuku with full root access, do the following:

1. Open the Shizuku app, then go to the Start (for rooted devices) section.
2. Tap the Start button to begin the process.
3. Tap Grant to give the proper root permissions when requested.

   

   

4. The Shizuku service starts within a few seconds on a new screen and then automatically closes when it’s finished.
5. Scroll to the top and check that the Shizuku is running status is followed by a version number and the word root.

   

   

If you don’t want to reactivate the Shizuku service after every reboot, follow these steps:

1. Tap the Settings cogwheel icon in the upper-right corner.
2. Turn on the Start on boot (root) option.

   

   

3. When you do that, the Shizuku service stays activated after you reboot your device, making it easier to manage.

   

Shizuku makes easy on-device rootless mods a reality

Now that you know how to set up Shizuku, you can test different mods. Because Shizuku allows users to grant elevated permissions to other apps, mods and apps that usually need root access don’t need it. Soon, we should see more unique apps and mods with built-in support for the Shizuku service. Check out the tools and apps compatible with Shizuku to get started.

You might want to check out how to restore your device after a factory reset using Shizuku to make your life easier. We walk you through the steps and explain how using Shizuku to back up and restore your device can help you in the long run.