Read: 45 Best Root Apps For Android
Before we begin
We need to understand how Magisk works and why it is so popular. So, the traditional way to root your Android is to unlock the bootloader and flash a custom recovery. But starting Marshmallow, Google has blocked many popular root methods by moving the “su” daemon into the /system partition. Thus making it difficult to root Android without changing the “/system” partition. And that’s where Magisk comes in. Magisk unlocks root for your device without altering the “/system” partition. This way, Android cannot detect whether the device is rooted or not. Hence all the normal banking apps, Netflix, other streaming apps work. This makes Magisk quite popular among Android enthusiasts. Now, installing Magisk is a two-step process. First, you have to unlock the bootloader and next, flash Magisk on your phone. You can use custom recovery like TWRP to flash Magisk on your phone. Alternatively, if you already have an unlocked bootloader, you can use the Magisk Manager app to flash Magisk directly. With that out of the way, let’s check out some of the best Magisk Modules.
Best Magisk Modules
1. XMLPak
This module lets you download and use vendor apps from the Google Play Store. For instance, I can download and use Samsung Email which is exclusive to Samsung devices or even the exclusive Asus Weather App. One neat app which you can get is the Razer Game Booster App which can boost performance and optimize power settings for mobile games. It can also turn on DND for you while you are gaming on your phone because gaming is serious! Read: What is the Best Ad Blocker App for Android? (No Root) Android Version: Android 5.0+ (Lollipop) Download XMLPak
2. QuickSwitch
QuickSwitch is an extremely niche module. If you are on an OEM launcher skin like MIUI, EMUI which disables quickly switching between apps; you can use QuickSwitch to change your recent apps provider. Like, I am using One Plus Launcher as my recent apps provider on the Samsung Galaxy Note 9.
In case you are using One Plus launcher and you experience random crashes, install QuickSwitch first. Next, set One Plus Launcher as your recent app provider. Reboot the device and finally set OnePlus Launcher as the default launcher. Android Version: Android 9.0 (Pie)
3. liboemcrypto.so disabler
The most common problem you face after rooting your phone is apps denying to run. A great example is Netflix or My5.tv. These apps won’t run on your rooted device due to DRM protection. So, this Magisk module masks liboemcrypto.so with a zero byte replacement. This way Netflix can’t identify if your device is rooted and will be available to download from the Play Store. The only downside is that Widevine DRM will fall back to L3 instead of L1. Due to this, Netflix won’t playback in HD or higher quality. This is one of the few drawbacks of rooting your device. If you still aren’t able to use Netflix, make sure Magisk Hide is working. Android Version: Android 8.0+ (Oreo)
4. Universal SafetyNet Fix
If the above solution still doesn’t enable Netflix for you, try Universal SafetyNet Fix. This module improvises on the good old Magisk Hide. It reads the same file Magisk Hide uses to store names of apps that require SafetyNet. Once such an app is opened, it unmounts all Magisk related mount points thus disabling Magisk detection. The only caveat is it might not work for apps such as Sony PS4 Remote Play which uses custom checks to detect root. Download Universal SafetyNet Fix
5. WiFi Bonding
WiFi Bonding is a unique app that might be helpful to older Android devices running on Qualcomm SoC. Basically, it enables your device to always run in 40 Mhz mode irrespective of whether it is a 2.4 GHz or a 5 GHz device. However, do note that in order to see a notable Wi-Fi speed bump, you need to ensure that your router is also running at 40 Mhz. Download WiFi Bonding
6. iOS12.1 Emoji & Blobmoji
You might already be aware of the Green Bubble vs Blue Bubble theory and to add to that you have iOS Emojis. They have a distinguished look from the stock Google Emojis and are probably better. So, if you are envious about that, you can install the “iOS12.1 Emoji” module through Magisk. Another wonderful emoticon called Blobmoji was killed by Google in Android Oreo. However, the development is resumed by simonsmh on GitHub. It is a fork of Noto Emoji. You can flash the emoticons as a Magisk Module and it really brings back the good old Blob-days.
Android Version: Android 7.0+ (Nougat) Read: 50+ Open Source Android Apps When You Want to Ditch Google
7. Google Sans Font
While we are on the topic of emojis & beautification, one thing great about the Pixel’s is the font style. I mean you have to use this font in order to understand how great this is. This Magisk Module is named “Google Sans Font” which is the Pixel’s Font name. I flashed the module on my Note 9 and it looks way better than the original OneUI font. Read: Best Substratum Themes for your Rooted Android phone Android Version: Android 7.0+ (Nougat)
8. Pix3lify
Well, the name kind of says it all. Pix3lify brings amazing Google Pixel Features to any rooted Android Phone. The Google Sans Font, Blue Accent, Pixel Ringtones, Pixel Wallpapers are one of the best things about the Pixel UI. So, you get all of this and also the other features like Pixel call screening picture, Google Lens, Google Camera, Pixel Gestures, Digital Wellbeing, etc. Android Version: Android 8.0+ (Oreo)
9. Oxy-ify
Oxy-ify functions similar to Pix3lify with the only difference being that it ports Oxygen OS features to any rooted Android device. Oxygen OS is one of the cleanest Android skins. With this module, you get the One Plus modded launcher, One Plus’s Slate Font, One Plus boot animation, One Plus Weather app, etc. When you replace it with something like OneUI, the phone feels extremely slick and responsive. You can also checkout Razerite if the Razer phone boot animations and wallpaper intrigue you. Android Version: Android 8.0+ (Oreo)
10. Dolby Atmos Sound
If your device has a pretty feebly sounding speaker, you should try out Dolby Atmos Sound. It is second to Viper Music FX but Viper doesn’t work on every Android device. It’s not going to do magic with your speaker but it does certainly boost the audio output coming from it. You will notice a huge improvement in sound quality and loudness if you stream music over Spotify or other online music streaming apps.
Dolby Atmos also provides you with an inbuilt equalizer which lets you fine-tune music. The module is removed from Magisk due to license issues but you can download it from the link below. Download Dolby Atmos Sound Android Version: Android 5.0+ (Lollipop)
11. Universal GMS Doze
Google introduced Doze mode in Android Nougat which turned out as a huge battery saver. It disables the running apps by putting them to sleep when it detects the phone is unused for a long time. An exception to this app list is Google Play Services. Google doesn’t put its own apps to Doze mode. So, if you have a phone like Pixel with average battery life, you should try Universal GMS Doze which even puts the GApps and services to doze mode.
Download Universal GMS Doze Android Version: Android 7.0+ (Nougat)
12. Camera2API Enabler
OEMs like Xiaomi, Huawei restrict third-party apps to use the camera hardware. This disables GCam from functioning on the device. In order to use GCam or third-party camera modules, you need to enable Camera2API. This can be done manually by altering the “build.prop” system file. But in case that feels too much work, you can install the Camera2API Enabler module from Magisk. The module does all the complex work for you and enables Camera2API
Download Camera2API Enabler Android Version: Android 5.0+ (Lollipop)
13. ARCore/Playground Patcher
AR being a recent phenomenon is not available on older phones like my Moto G. Part of the reason being that the hardware is not capable enough to handle AR games or apps for a longer time. However, if you want to still try those apps on your older phones, “ARCore/Playground Patcher” can do the job. It downloads the Google ARCore app for you and lets you run those AR games and apps.
14. YouTube Vanced
No mod list can be complete without YouTube Vanced. It is a standalone app that you can download from this website. But, YouTube Vanced with Magisk is a whole new world. You get a couple of new features like PiP (picture-in-picture) mode and signing in with your Google account. Android Version: Android 8.0+ (Oreo)
Closing Words
Magisk Modules are a way of adding additional features to your rooted Android device. In case you want to modify the look of your Android device, Substratum Themes are a great way to dive in. For any issues or queries regarding Magisk or rooting, let me know in the comments.
