Magisk has long been a favorite for Android enthusiasts looking to root their devices and explore system-level customizations. With the release of Magisk 28.0, users can look forward to substantial improvements in performance, compatibility, and user experience. This latest update not only brings refined SafetyNet bypass capabilities but also new enhancements across its core components, making it a must-have for Android power users.
Let’s dive into the specifics of what’s new in Magisk 28.0, including changes to the app, system compatibility, and enhanced support for Android 14.
Key Highlights of Magisk 28.0
Magisk 28.0 is packed with improvements that make it even more powerful and versatile. Here are some of the standout updates in this release:
- Expanded device compatibility, including RISC-V support and 16k page size recognition.
- Enhanced SafetyNet bypass for greater app compatibility on rooted devices.
- Optimized Zygisk integration, making code injections more stable and efficient.
- Core app enhancements that bring improved performance and better user experience.
Expanded Device Support and Compatibility
One of the major goals of Magisk 28.0 is expanding compatibility with a wider range of Android devices. This update introduces support for 16k page sizes, allowing Magisk to work seamlessly across different devices and storage configurations. This is especially beneficial for users with high-end devices, as it ensures a smoother rooting experience across various hardware.
Additionally, RISC-V architecture support has been added to the Magisk framework. Although RISC-V support is still in its early stages, this move indicates Magisk’s dedication to staying current with emerging technologies.
Core Improvements for Smoother Performance
Magisk 28.0 brings notable improvements to its core components to enhance overall performance. The executables magiskinit and magiskboot have been rebuilt using a minimal libc, making them significantly smaller in size. This efficiency saves space and reduces the load on device resources, leading to a faster and more efficient rooting environment.
An update to the boot image detection logic ensures that Magisk can better recognize boot configurations across a wider range of devices. This optimization helps streamline the initial setup process, making it easier to root and manage more device types.
Updated MagiskInit Process
The initialization process in Magisk has received a significant overhaul in version 28.0. The 2SI (Second Stage Initialization) logic has been rewritten, enabling smoother injection of magiskinit as the system's main initialization process. This improvement enhances Magisk’s ability to run on devices with complex configurations, ensuring a more robust root setup.
Furthermore, improvements in preinit partition detection enable Magisk to accurately identify necessary partitions, reducing the risk of issues during setup and improving overall performance.
Optimizations in Zygisk for Performance and Stability
Zygisk, Magisk's module for injecting code into apps at runtime, has received internal optimizations in version 28.0. The update includes improved handling of JNI (Java Native Interface) hooking, allowing for better performance and stability of apps that rely on native code injection. With this improvement, rooted users can enjoy a smoother experience on apps that depend on Zygisk for additional functionality.
Additionally, users can now enforce the DenyList even when Zygisk is disabled. This feature provides added flexibility by ensuring that Magisk can hide from specific apps, even without active Zygisk processes.
Magisk Policy Updates
For users who manage security and policy configurations, Magisk 28.0 introduces updates to SEPolicy handling. The update preserves the SEPolicy configuration flag after patching, ensuring that security policies remain intact even after modifications are applied. This enhancement minimizes potential issues and provides a more stable experience when using security-sensitive apps on a rooted device.
The latest update also optimizes patching rules, reducing the number of injected rules and making the overall policy modification process more efficient. This means Magisk can operate more lightly on system resources, reducing the likelihood of conflicts with system components.
SafetyNet Bypass Improvements
SafetyNet, a Google service that detects unauthorized modifications on Android devices, has been a longstanding challenge for rooted devices. Magisk has historically provided a SafetyNet bypass, enabling rooted devices to run apps that might otherwise be incompatible. In version 28.0, SafetyNet bypass capabilities have been enhanced, allowing a broader range of apps to function on rooted devices.
This update is particularly beneficial for users who rely on services that would typically detect root access and restrict functionality, such as financial and streaming apps. With Magisk 28.0, users can access these apps with less friction, making the rooting experience more versatile.
Resetprop Enhancements for Advanced Users
The Resetprop tool, which lets users modify system properties, has been updated to improve its usability and reliability. Now, Resetprop offers better support for property overlays, enabling users to override system properties in a more stable manner. It also includes workarounds for property modification detections, reducing the risk of errors during property modifications.
User Experience Enhancements in Magisk App
Magisk’s app has also received significant refinements. A major internal code refactoring improves stability and performance, making the app smoother and more responsive. Additionally, the app now supports patching Samsung firmware with image files over 8GB, accommodating users with newer Samsung devices.
For Android 14 users, Magisk has replaced foreground services with user-initiated jobs, which aligns with new Android guidelines and improves compatibility. Magisk now also supports Android 13+ per-app language preferences, providing a more user-friendly experience for multilingual users.
New Actions for Modules in Magisk App
Magisk 28.0 introduces action.sh support, which allows modules to define actions that can be triggered directly from the Magisk UI. This feature gives module developers the ability to integrate more complex functionalities and provides users with greater control over module actions, making the app experience more customizable.
MagiskBoot Updates for Better Boot Image Management
MagiskBoot, the tool responsible for managing boot images, now includes support for splitting kernel images without decompression. This feature is useful for advanced users who need to manipulate boot images on the fly. The tool has also been updated to support vendor boot images, which further expands its compatibility with modern Android devices.
Improved Samsung Kernel Compatibility
Finally, for Samsung users, Magisk 28.0 introduces a tweak to disable Samsung PROCA from the kernel image. This modification helps prevent issues on Samsung devices, ensuring a smoother experience and better compatibility for users who rely on Magisk for rooting Samsung hardware.
How to Update to Magisk 28.0
Upgrading to Magisk 28.0 is straightforward. Here’s a quick guide:
- Download the latest Magisk APK from the official Magisk website.
- Open the downloaded APK and follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.
- Once installed, open the Magisk Manager app, navigate to the About section, and verify that you are running version 28.0.
If you are upgrading from Magisk 27, you should find that the update process is smooth, and your existing configurations should carry over without any issues.
Conclusion
Magisk 28.0 is a comprehensive update that brings a range of improvements to the Android rooting experience. From enhanced compatibility with newer devices to refined policy handling, this release covers the needs of both casual and advanced users alike. Whether you’re looking for better SafetyNet bypass capabilities or improved support for custom configurations, Magisk 28.0 has something for everyone.
For more detailed instructions and downloads, you can visit the official Magisk GitHub page and explore the latest release notes.
FAQs
1. How does Magisk 28.0 affect app compatibility?
Magisk 28.0 improves app compatibility, especially for apps sensitive to root detection, by enhancing SafetyNet bypass capabilities and Zygisk integration.
2. Can I revert to Magisk 27 if needed?
Yes, you can revert by reinstalling the previous Magisk version, but this may involve redoing some configurations.
3. Does Magisk 28.0 improve battery life?
While not directly aimed at battery improvements, the optimizations and smaller binaries can lead to more efficient system resource use.
4. Is Magisk 28.0 compatible with all Android 13 devices?
Yes, Magisk 28.0 has been designed to support Android 13 and includes additional support for Android 14.
5. What new security features does Magisk 28.0 offer?
Magisk 28.0 enhances security with updated policy handling and a more robust DenyList system, offering improved protection for rooted users.
