What Is Superuser on Android?
Superuser is the root-level administrator account on Android devices, similar to the "Administrator" role on Windows or "root" on Linux. When you root your Android phone, you unlock superuser access, which lets you modify system files, remove pre-installed bloatware, and run apps that require elevated permissions.
A superuser app manages which applications can use these elevated privileges. Without one, any app could silently gain root access and compromise your device. The superuser app acts as a gatekeeper: every time an application requests root permissions, it shows a prompt asking you to grant or deny access.
SuperSU by Chainfire is the most widely used superuser management tool for Android. It handles all root permission requests, keeps detailed access logs, and supports temporary or permanent unrooting. For Android 4.x through 9.x, SuperSU remains the standard choice for superuser access management.
Superuser App Details
| App Name | SuperSU (Superuser Access Manager) |
| Latest Version | v2.82 SR5 (October 2017) |
| Developer | Chainfire (CCMT) |
| Package | eu.chainfire.supersu |
| File Size | APK: 6.2 MB | SR5 ZIP: 6.6 MB |
| Operating System | Android 2.3 – 9.0 (Pie) |
| Category | Root / System Utility |
| License | Free Pro Available |
| Last Updated | March 2026 (verified working) |
Download Superuser APK
Get the latest SuperSU APK and recovery flashable ZIP. All files are original Chainfire builds, verified and hosted on our servers.
Quick Download Links
| File | Version | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| SuperSU APK (Free) | v2.82 | APK | Download |
| SuperSU Pro APK | v2.82 | APK | Download |
| SuperSU ZIP (TWRP) | v2.82 SR5 | Flashable ZIP | Download |
| SuperSU ZIP (TWRP) | v2.82 | Flashable ZIP | Download |
SR5 ZIP verified: MD5 f20d6d46b454cb74470977cb445eb8e4. More versions on the full download page.
How to Install Superuser on Android
Prerequisites
- An Android device with an unlocked bootloader
- TWRP or compatible custom recovery installed
- SuperSU flashable ZIP downloaded to your device
- At least 50% battery charge
- A full backup of your data (recommended)
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1
Download the SuperSU ZIP — Save the SuperSU v2.82 flashable ZIP to your phone's internal storage or SD card.
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2
Boot into recovery mode — Power off your device, then hold the Volume Up + Power buttons simultaneously until TWRP loads.
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3
Create a NANDroid backup — In TWRP, tap Backup and select System, Data, and Boot. Swipe to confirm. This lets you restore if anything goes wrong.
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4
Tap "Install" — Navigate to the SuperSU ZIP file you downloaded. Select it and swipe to flash.
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5
Wait for the flash to complete — TWRP will install the superuser binary files and the SuperSU management app automatically.
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6
Reboot your device — Tap "Reboot System". The first boot may take 2-3 minutes longer than usual as root configures.
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7
Open SuperSU and verify — Launch the SuperSU app from your app drawer. If it opens without errors, superuser access is active and ready to manage root permissions.
Superuser vs SuperSU vs Magisk
Three tools have dominated Android root management over the years. Here is how they compare for managing superuser access on your device.
| Feature | Superuser (ChainsDD) | SuperSU (Chainfire) | Magisk (topjohnwu) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Development | Discontinued | Maintenance only | Active |
| Android Support | 2.x – 4.x | 2.3 – 9.0 | 5.0 – 16+ |
| Root Method | System partition | System partition | Systemless (boot image) |
| SafetyNet / Play Integrity | Fails | Fails | Passes (with modules) |
| OTA Update Survival | No | Pro only | Yes |
| Module / Plugin System | No | No | Yes (Magisk Modules) |
| Permission Logging | Basic | Detailed + color-coded (Pro) | Basic |
| Temporary Unroot | No | Yes | Yes (MagiskHide) |
| Price | Free | Free (Pro: $3.75) | Free & open-source |
| Best For | Legacy devices only | Android 4.x – 9.x | Android 10+ |
Which should you use? For devices running Android 9 or earlier, SuperSU remains the most reliable and feature-rich superuser management tool. For Android 10 and newer, Magisk is the recommended choice because it supports systemless root, which preserves SafetyNet/Play Integrity compatibility.
Superuser Troubleshooting Guide
"Superuser binary not found" Error
This means the root binary files were not installed correctly. Re-flash the SuperSU ZIP via TWRP recovery. Make sure you use the latest v2.82 ZIP and that your TWRP version supports your Android version.
Superuser App Not Responding to Permission Requests
Clear the app's data: go to Settings > Apps > SuperSU > Storage > Clear Data. Then reboot. If it persists, re-flash the ZIP. Battery optimization can also block the permission prompt — disable it for SuperSU.
Root Access Lost After System Update
OTA updates overwrite the superuser binary. Boot into TWRP, restore your pre-update NANDroid backup, or re-flash the SuperSU ZIP. SuperSU Pro includes OTA survival mode that prevents this.
Apps Crashing After Granting Superuser Access
Some apps are incompatible with certain root configurations. In SuperSU, try switching from "Grant" to "Grant (15 minutes)" to test. If the app still crashes, check if it requires a specific su binary version or if SELinux needs to be set to permissive.
How to Remove Superuser Access (Unroot)
Open the SuperSU app, navigate to Settings, and tap "Full Unroot". Confirm the prompt and your device will reboot with root completely removed. Your data stays intact.
Superuser Android Compatibility
| Android Version | API Level | SuperSU Support | Recommended Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android 16 | API 36 | Not Supported | Magisk / KernelSU |
| Android 15 | API 35 | Not Supported | Magisk / KernelSU |
| Android 14 | API 34 | Not Supported | Magisk |
| Android 13 | API 33 | Not Supported | Magisk |
| Android 12 / 12L | API 31-32 | Not Supported | Magisk |
| Android 11 | API 30 | Partial (may need patches) | Magisk |
| Android 10 | API 29 | Partial | Magisk |
| Android 9 (Pie) | API 28 | Full Support | SuperSU |
| Android 8.x (Oreo) | API 26-27 | Full Support | SuperSU |
| Android 7.x (Nougat) | API 24-25 | Full Support | SuperSU |
| Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | API 23 | Full Support | SuperSU |
| Android 5.x (Lollipop) | API 21-22 | Full Support | SuperSU |
| Android 4.x (KitKat / Jelly Bean) | API 15-20 | Full Support | SuperSU |
Superuser APK — Frequently Asked Questions
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