Kernel Assisted Superuser
Kernel Assisted Superuser (short: KernelSU) is an alternative method for obtaining root privileges on Android devices. KernelSU implementations are developed as free and open-source software under the terms of the GPLv3 license.[1]
Technical differences
History
The planning of KernelSU was started in 2018 by developer Jason Donenfeld, also known as XDA user zx2c4.[2][3] The lack of a root manager app and the difficulty of creating boot images meant that KernelSU was not suitable for productive use, and for a long time this method remained theoretical and could only be used by developers. In 2021, Google launched Generic Kernel Images (GKI for short), which facilitates the creation of a set of device-independent rooted boot images.[4] In response, the developer known on XDA as weishu, who had also worked on projects such as VirtualXposed, adapted KernelSU for GKI-compatible kernels. The adaptation, which was released in January 2023, ensures that any device booting with Linux kernel version 5.10 or higher should be compatible. In addition, the developer also offers a special manager app that, in addition to managing root privileges, also offers overlay-based modding similar to Magisk modules. As of November 2025[update], 310 developers have contributed to the development of the KernelSU implementation.[1][5]
Distribution
KernelSU can be installed on all devices that use GKI, as well as on individually supported devices without GKI.[6][7] Some custom ROMs already have it integrated by default, including ROMs such as CrDroid,[8] Bliss OS,[9] and Evolution X.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Weishu, Tiann. "KernelSU - A Kernel based root solution for Android" (in en). https://github.com/tiann/KernelSU.
- ↑ Zachary Wander (2018-12-10). "Kernel Assisted Superuser (KernelSU) - The Final Frontier for SafetyNet and an Essential Developer Tool" (in en). https://www.xda-developers.com/kernel-assisted-superuser-kernelsu/.
- ↑ "kernel-assisted-superuser - Kernel assisted means of gaining a root shell for Android". https://git.zx2c4.com/kernel-assisted-superuser.
- ↑ "Das Generic Kernel Image (GKI)-Projekt". https://source.android.com/docs/core/architecture/kernel/generic-kernel-image?hl=de.
- ↑ Skanda Hazarika (2023-01-30). "KernelSU reborn: Developer ports kernel-assisted root access to GKI compatible devices" (in en). https://www.xda-developers.com/kernelsu-gki-root/.
- ↑ "Installation | KernelSU". https://kernelsu.org/guide/installation.html.
- ↑ "Unofficially Supported Devices | KernelSU". https://kernelsu.org/guide/unofficially-support-devices.html.
- ↑ "crDroid.net - How to install crDroid 10 for Pixel 7a (lynx)". https://crdroid.net/lynx/10/install.
- ↑ "Bliss OS For PC". https://blissos.org/.
External links
