Shizuku
Use Android system APIs from regular apps through Shizuku, which runs a Java process started with app_process.
About Shizuku
Shizuku is an open source Android project that lets regular apps call system APIs using ADB or root privileges. It works by running a Shizuku server process, started with root or ADB, which receives requests from apps over Android's binder interprocess communication and forwards them to the system server, then returns the results. According to the project, this avoids the slow and unreliable approach of running commands in a su shell, and to the app the calls look almost identical to direct system API use.
The project's notes describe several limits. ADB has restricted permissions that vary across Android versions. Normal apps are limited in their use of hidden APIs from Android 9 onward. On API 26, ADB lacks permission to use registerUidObserver, so the project recommends an alternative for processes that may not start from an Activity. Calling transactRemote directly requires care because APIs and transaction codes can differ between Android versions.
Key features
- Lets regular apps call system APIs with ADB or root privileges
- Runs a Shizuku server process started with root or ADB
- Forwards app requests over binder to the system server and returns results
- Lets apps check Shizuku's uid and permission level before calling APIs
- Separate Shizuku-API repository provides API documentation and sample code
- Migration guide for apps built on versions before v11
Best for: Android app developers who need system APIs beyond normal app permissions and can start the Shizuku server with root or ADB.
Good for
- Open source, with the code published in a public GitHub repository
- Per the project, app calls to system APIs are almost identical to direct system API use
- Avoids repeated su shell process creation, which the project describes as slow and unreliable
Watch out for
- ADB permissions are limited and differ across Android versions
- Normal apps have limited use of hidden APIs from Android 9 onward
- On API 26, ADB cannot use registerUidObserver, which affects process detection
Shizuku at a glance
- Website
- github.com/RikkaApps/Shizuku
- Category
- Development › APIs & Databases
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Android
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Guides for APIs & Databases
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Shizuku FAQ
Do existing apps built on earlier Shizuku versions still work?
The project states that existing applications still work. It also links a migration guide for apps that use versions before v11.
How can an app check whether Shizuku has enough permission?
Before calling the API, an app can use ShizukuService#getUid to check whether Shizuku is running as the ADB user, or ShizukuService#checkPermission to check whether the server has sufficient permissions.
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