Hello, mostly-PC person here who still doesn’t understand much. I recently upgraded my old unlocked phone to an unlocked one with LineageOS (in case the Android ROM matters for this). Want to set up the most important things such as banking apps for this, and I’m hitting a knowledge block.
Back in my time, we used Magisk for customizing phone modules and most importantly for hiding root and custom ROM status from apps that demand a “Google experience”. For the newer phone I wanted to do this, but I’m finding extremely conflicting information on what is the current status of Magisk and if it should be used.
On one side, Magisk seems to still exist and still to be the recommended way for installing modules on phone, and it’s still available on F-Droid.
On the other one, I find verifiable information that the developer of Magisk went to work with Google of all companies, plus indications that they removed the hide root mechanic from the program and that other stuff might be removed or the software abandoned outright.
So, in light of that I thought of asking here. Is Magisk still “legit” for custom ROMs? If it’s not / if it’s been enshittified, what is the current way to hide root from eg.: banking apps?
Thanks in advance.
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LineageOS is great even without root, but I still recommend using Magisk on it for system-wide ad blocking (via e.g. AdAway) if nothing else.
A banking app may have a simple root check, or a SafetyNet check. You can use shamiko and safetynet-fix respectively to fool these, both have already been linked.
Thanks for the points! I’m gonna check those now that I have free time.
Safetynet-fix 2.3 (2.4 gave me problems) + shamiko will hide almost everything
I’m still using Magisk on LOS 20. Banking app works flawlessly and SafetyNet passes, at least on microg.
You just need to install this module instead of using magiskhide now: https://github.com/kdrag0n/safetynet-fix
It works mostly as before, MagiskHide is renamed to Zygisk. I know it’s something different under the hood, but for the user’s point of view is the same: it hides magisk from other apps. It works, I had one app which didn’t work without it
The other change is there is no module repo now, so you have to find the zips on the internet, and load them manually. Of course module updates are not automatic as well
I use Magisk Delta (a fork of Magisk) on an otherwise stock Pixel 7 Pro. Everything works including banking apps and Google Pay.
What made you choose the delta fork over the original? First time I hear of it.
Because the dev now works at Google, he had to remove the root hiding functions called SU Hide. You can bring it back with various modules, but I was lazy and wanted a install one, do all solution.
Magisk Delta is a fork that brings back SU Hide, and I haven’t needed to install an extra app to fix any apps it couldn’t hide root from.
It’s just called deny list instead now