In this guide, we will show you the steps to root your device via Magisk Kitsune as well as the instructions to switch from Magisk to Magisk Kitsune. When it comes to gaining administrative privileges via root, then Magisk has forever been the go-to choice for the masses [well, not taking into consideration the earliest days of the OS when SuperSU used to reign supreme].
While that is still the case even to this date, however, we are slowly seeing new players stepping into this domain. Among them, it’s KernelSU that has become the most popular player at the top as it grants root permission to applications directly in the kernel space. Apart from that, APatch has also started to climb the ladders, and just behind that is the relatively newer Magisk Kitsune.
So what exactly is this app, how does it differ from Magisk, and more importantly, how you can obtain root via it, and how to switch to Kitsune if you are already rooted via Magisk.? Well, this guide is going to answer all these queries. So without further ado, let’s get started.
What is Magisk Kitsune?
Maagisk Kitsune is an unofficial fork of Magisk that allows you to root your Android device via the same mechanism that the original Magisk follows: by patching the stock boot.img/init_boot.img and then flashing it via Fastboot Command. Similar to Magisk, you get the option of Direct Install which allows you to upgrade Magisk or change the temporary root status to permanent.
Apart from that, you also have the Install to Inactive Slot option that will help you retain root after installing the OTA update, similar to how Magisk works. Likewise, you also get a few additional goodies in the form of MagiskHide, SuList, and the new Zygisk loading mechanism. With that said, there are a few differences between these root solutions as well, so let’s have a look at them.
How Does Kitsune Differ from Original Magisk
While Kitsune has taken a page or two from Magisk’s book, but this is where the difference ends. It has quite a few additional features and has made changes to the underlying functionalities as well. For instance, the latest Kitsune version 27.1 differs from the latest Magisk v27.0 in the following aspects:
- [App] Added a new feature to install Magisk into
/systempartition for emulators that do not have a boot image. - [Zygisk] Changed the method of loading Zygisk to ptrace init implementation (required Android 8+). The implementation comes from ZygiskNext. This method does not need to change any property and is more compatible with some emulators that ignore
ro.dalvik.vm.native.bridgeproperty. - [General] Support for mounting in pre-init for modules.
- [General] Support deleting file by using indicated whiteout character device, similar to
overlayfs - [Zygisk] Added support for GrepheneOS Android 14, a privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility. This is because the official Magisk does not support it.
- [General] Restored support for devices with no selinux support, which was removed by the official Magisk. This allows users to use Magisk on devices that do not have selinux enabled in kernel.
- [General] Update resetprop to avoid increasing serial counter for read-only properties
- [Module] Mounting module files to system no longer need mirrors
- [App] Add biometric authentication back
- [General] Grant root to shell by default (for debug build)
- [General] Disable magisk app signature verification
- [Module] Support Magic mount for more partitions
- [General] MagiskSU will not mounted until boot completed
How to Root via Magisk Kitsune?
So now comes the million-dollar question that you all would be waiting for- how to root your device via Magisk Kitsune? Well, the steps are exactly the same as you do with the original Magisk. So you may refer to our detailed guide on How to Root Android via Magisk or check out the below shorter instructions: [Note: If your device shipped with Android 12 or older version, then use boot.img. On the other hand, if it came withAndroid 13 or higher version out of the box, then use Android 13 or higher versions].
- To begin with, download and install Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
- Download the same version of stock firmware that is installed on your device.
- Now extract the boot.img/init_boot.img file and then transfer it to your device.
- Then download and install the Magisk Kitsune app on your device and launch it.
- Tap on Install next to Magisk > Select and patch a file > Select the boot/init_boot.
- It will now be patched and then placed in the Internal Storage > Downloads folder.
- Transfer the file to the platform-tools folder and open the CMD window there as well.
- After that, type in the below command to boot your device to the Fastboot Mode:
adb reboot bootloader
- Now use the below command to flash the patched boot/init_boot file to its partition
fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img fastboot flash init_boot patched_init_boot.img
- Then use the below command to boot your device to the OS:
fastboot reboot
- Now launch Kitsune and it will ask for additional setup. Tap OK.
- Your device will auto-reboot to the OS and it will now be rooted.
How to Switch from Magisk to Kitsune
If you are planning to migrate from Magisk to Kitsune, then there are two different methods that you could opt for. Go through each of these methods once and then try out the one that is in sync with your requirements. Do note that once you have obtained root via Kitsune, the Magisk root will be removed from your device [only the app will remain installed, you may manually uninstall it].
METHOD 1: Direct Install
This is the shorter and easier of the two and is also the recommended approach. Here’s how to use this method:
- First off, make sure that your device is already rooted via Magisk.
- Now download and install the Magisk Kitsune app on your device.
- Then launch Kitsune and you’ll get a SuperUser request, tap Grant.
- Now launch Magisk > tap on Install > Direct Install [Recommended].
- Wait for the process to complete. Once done, tap on the Reboot button.
- The device will now reboot to the rooted OS, thanks to Magisk Kitsune.
METHOD 2: Via Kitsune Module
- Download Magisk Kitsune APK and change its extension to ZIP.
- You’ll get a warning prompt regarding extension change, tap OK.
- Now launch Magisk, go to Modules, and select the Kitsune ZIP file.
- It will be flashed. Once done, hit the Reboot button at the bottom.
- Your device will now boot to the OS rooted via the Magisk Kitsune.
How to Flash Modules via Magisk Kitsune
Flashing a module via Kitsune is exactly similar to how you flash any module via Magisk. For the unaware, here’s what you need to do:
- First off, download the module ZIP file and transfer it to your device.
- Then launch Kitsune, go to Modules, and tap on Install from Storage.
- Now choose the module and it will be flashed. Once done, hit Reboot.
- Your device will now boot to the OS with the module up and running.
How to Unroot via Magisk Kitsune
Uninstalling Magisk Kitsune is quite a straightforward process, as explained below. But do keep in mind that the Complete Uninstall of Kitsune will remove Magisk Root as well. Likewise, a Complete Uninstall of Magisk will remove Kitsune Root. If that’s well and good, then let’s get started.
- Launch Magisk Kitsenu and then tap on Uninstall Magisk.
- Now tap on Complete Uninstall and wait for it to complete.
- Device will now automatically reboot to the non-rooted OS.
- As mentioned before, it will remove the Magisk root as well.
That’s it. These were the steps to root your device via Magisk Kitsune as well las the instructions to switch from Magisk to Magisk Kitsune. If you have any queries concerning this relatively this newly developed rooting solution for Android, then do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.
