🔍 What is Magisk Manager & v23. 0
Magisk Manager is a part of the open‑source Magisk tool suite created by John Wu (often referred to as “topjohnwu”) that offers Android users systemless root access, adding support for Android devices higher than 5.0—Wu’s earlier work was initially released on Chinese sites and directed at specific Xiaomi products—and enhances compatibility across the board.
Some of the most important changes in 23.0 (published on May12,2021) are:
It killed off compatibility with Android < 5.0 (Lollipop / API21).
Fixed some SafetyNet API based bugs (for apps to confirm root).
Fixed issues with installing APKs when app was hidden as a “stub” and some fixes to patching ODIN TAR files.
Upstreamed BusyBox’s usage of a proper libc, C++ undefined behavior fix, sepolicy rule fixes.
⚠️ Considerations & Risks
Rooting and applying a tool like the above is never without risk, including warranty voiding, a bricked phone or a handset that security has been compromised.
A lot of banking, payment and DRM apps on my phone have root detection built in, and if they see the system modified/ etc. will refuse to run. The SafetyNet fixes in v23. 0 are relevant here.
Since Magisk changes the way Android works at all levels, and it’s highly tied to device models, the manufacturer skin, 3rd party custom recoveries, and so on there will be places where it doesn’t work.