If you enjoy getting the most out of Android without root access , the combination of Shizuku and SystemUI Tuner is one of the best things you can try right now. These tools allow you to tweak hidden system settings, automate actions, and regain control of the interface, all with elevated but well-defined permissions.
However, they don't perform miracles or bypass manufacturer limitations : many functions depend on your ROM maintaining Android's internal flags. Here we'll tell you what you can do, how to grant permissions with Shizuku or ADB, when to use the Settings.System add-on, important warnings, actual cross-layer compatibility, and also a look at the ecosystem of apps that already take advantage of Shizuku.
What are Shizuku and SystemUI Tuner and why do they work together?
Shizuku acts as a bridge , allowing regular applications to access system APIs with elevated privileges using ADB on non-rooted devices. In practice, it unlocks capabilities that previously required root access, but in a controlled and revocable way.
SystemUI Tuner, on the other hand, is an app that reveals hidden options from the old "System Interface Settings" and Quick Settings, which Google eventually hid and many OEMs disabled. Exposing something isn't the same as creating it: if the manufacturer removed or changed a setting, the app can't force it.
Together they allow you to tweak the status bar, notifications, animations, immersive mode , Quick Settings grid, Demo Mode, and other hidden switches, within the limits imposed by your skin.
Key requirements, permits, and notices
SystemUI Tuner does not require root access , but it does need special permissions granted via ADB or Shizuku. Important: ADB is not root access , but it is sufficient for most functions.
If you're using Android 11 or higher, Shizuku lets you grant permissions directly from your phone without needing a PC. In earlier versions, unless you're using root access, you'll need to connect your phone to a computer to run ADB.
The developer warns that not all settings will work on all devices . Custom interfaces like MIUI/HyperOS, EMUI, Samsung Experience/One UI, or ColorOS may have removed or altered flags; it doesn't work on TouchWiz Marshmallow (6.0), and many things tend to fail on MIUI.
Keep in mind that some changes are persistent . Uninstalling SystemUI Tuner won't undo what you've changed. Since Android 8, there's a reset option for most flags, but it's still a good idea to note down what you modify. And be careful with Immersive Mode : it's temperamental by design and can behave erratically depending on the OEM.
Essential permissions for ADB (ADB is not root)
Connect the device via USB with Debugging enabled and grant these permissions for SystemUI Tuner to function at full capacity:
adb shell pm grant com.zacharee1.systemuituner android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGSadb shell pm grant com.zacharee1.systemuituner android.permission.PACKAGE_USAGE_STATSadb shell pm grant com.zacharee1.systemuituner android.permission.DUMP
Unless you're using Android 11 or higher with wireless debugging and Shizuku, ADB requires a computer. Also remember that SystemUI Tuner isn't magic: it simply exposes options already present in Android.
Use Shizuku to grant permissions without PC
Shizuku makes it easy to grant WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS and other system APIs to compatible apps wirelessly. Open Shizuku, start the service (via wireless debugging on Android 11+ or with ADB/Root), and authorize SystemUI Tuner when prompted.
A powerful extra is rish , an official executable that gives you an in-process shell with elevated privileges that Shizuku launches. It allows you to launch high-level commands from terminals or automations without traditional ADB.
Basic rish commands (very useful if you handle terminal): Opens interactive shell or executes a command and exits without intermediate steps.
rish: opens the default interactive shell (/system/bin/sh).rish exec /ruta/a/shell: launches an alternate shell.rish -c 'whoami': Executes a command and exits.echo 'whoami' | rish: reads from stdin, executes and exits.
This fits perfectly with apps like Tasker or MacroDroid: you can fire privileged commands in the background (e.g., rish -c 'reboot') if your flow needs it.
Add-on for Settings.System without root or Shizuku
Since Android 6, Google has restricted which values an app can access in Settings.System . Apps still targeting Android 5.1 (API 22) are exempt from most of these restrictions, and later, access to Secure was also limited. Therefore, there is an official add-on that targets API 22 and is marked as test-only , allowing the app to read and write specific settings when needed.
Since it's a test-only version , Android blocks its direct installation without a special flag. You can install it using "Install with Options" (recommended on Android 11+) or via ADB.
- Download the APK from the Releases page.
- Install “Install with Options” on the device.
- Set up Shizuku within that app.
- Active Allow Test y Replace Existing.
- Choose the add-on APK and press Install.
If you prefer the command line, remember to use the `-t` flag during ADB installation to allow the system to accept a test APK. This add-on is distributed separately because Google Play's policies prevent the integration of test/debug APKs and require a minimum target SDK , meaning its functionality cannot be included within the main app published on the store.
SystemUI Tuner Highlights
The app replicates and expands upon the old Android System UI Tuner. Not all features work on all phones, but the range is extensive and continues to grow.
- Status Bar- Choose which icons are displayed (depending on device).
- demo mode: Customize the demo mode.
- Notifications (Android 7.0+): controls the importance; on Samsung it may work ok.
- Hidden features: Enables internal flags when your ROM maintains them.
- Immersive Mode: Force UI to full screen (behavior may be unstable).
- Quick Settings: changes options; on some TouchWiz 7.0, resizes the grid.
- Animations: Customize the speed of the transitions.
This is how it is organized: sections and what you can touch
SystemUI Tuner groups its tweaks by panels and highlights the most critical ones in red . Below, the most interesting aspects of each section.
Applications
It allows you to activate free and resizable windows on compatible devices, and change the default installation location (if you have a microSD card and your OEM respects it).
Audio and sound
You can disable the high volume warning with headphones, mute the charging sound, or replace various system sounds with custom files. Some options are marked as potentially problematic.
Developer
The option to prevent ADB from disconnecting due to inactivity saves a lot of time, ideal if you often work with commands or automations.
Screen
Adjust the secure lock time after turning off the screen , font size, and fine-tuning the rotation. You can also define the battery percentage that activates power saving mode.
El night mode is tricky- This may cause the screen to go black on some devices. If this happens, clear the unsafe setting with ADB: adb shell settings delete secure ui_night_mode.
Red
It includes three sections: mobile data (SMS and operator settings), Wi-Fi (attempt to bypass tethering restrictions of some operators) and miscellaneous.
In the miscellaneous section is one of the gems: customizing which radios turn off airplane mode (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, data…), so as not to lose essential connections in flight.
Interactions
It brings together settings for notifications, status bar, and Quick Settings , similar to the original tuner. You can add Do Not Disturb to the volume slider, show/hide specific icons, enable seconds on the clock, and display the battery percentage.
System
Although it's a single control, it's useful: it changes the low storage threshold so Android doesn't bombard you with warnings when you're running low on memory.
UI
Option-rich area: adjust the behavior of navigation gestures , keep the screen on while charging, activate quick access such as opening the camera, and define an animation scale to your liking.
Advanced
For those who like the details: you can force system variables by name and tell the app to show absolutely all settings (even those it hides due to incompatibility). Use it wisely.
Actual compatibility and limits by OEM
On Android AOSP it usually works very well, but more customized interfaces often cut back on options or move them around. MIUI/HyperOS and EMUI tend to be limiting, and Samsung has its own particularities: for example, notification priority management is often flawed , and the old TouchWiz 6.0 is simply not compatible.
Remember: SystemUI Tuner cannot recreate removed flags . Shizuku helps grant permissions, but it doesn't create settings that your ROM no longer includes. Immersive mode, by design, can be unstable.
Quick fixes and emergency commands
If you activate night mode and lose your display, delete the ui_night_mode key using the command mentioned earlier to restore the screen. It's the most useful solution in this situation.
Keep in mind that uninstalling the app won't undo what you've written in the settings. Since Oreo, there's a reset option for most settings, but keeping track of what you change will save you trouble.
Can you hide the battery icon and keep the percentage?
It's a recurring question, and the answer is often unpopular: in many interfaces, the icon and percentage are linked to the same switch. If you hide one, the other disappears. With SystemUI Tuner and similar tools, most current firmwares lack a stable public key that removes only the icon without affecting the text.
Practical conclusion: Unless your SystemUI explicitly splits the icon and text , there's no universal ADB command to isolate the percentage. You can check if your ROM separates them or consider third-party solutions (themes/overlays/modules), which usually require more permissions or root access.
Ecosystem: apps that already take advantage of Shizuku
The ecosystem is growing rapidly. Automation and productivity features include: MacroDroid (since version 5.46 with Shizuku support), AutoJS6, Geto, PhoneProfilesPlus, TapTap (double-tap back), Extendroid (desktop-style multi-window), and Taskbar. Personalization and UX features include: UbikiTouch, DarQ (per-app dark mode), ColorBlendr (MaterialYou), Lockscreen Widgets, KeyMapper, and LinkSheet (classic link picker).
For file management and backups, there are managers that restore access to Android/data and obb using Shizuku: MiXplorer, X-Plore, ZArchiver, Total Commander (3.60+), Solid Explorer, SwiftBackup, and SD Maid SE. For installing APKs , there are alternatives such as Shizuku Package Installer, SAI, InstallerX-Revived, InstallWithOptions, or PI, with advanced features like replacing packages or installing test APKs.
In privacy and networking, the standouts include NetWall (a firewall without VPN), App Ops (fine permissions), ManageSensors (AppOps), WiFiList (view passwords on Android 11+), NetworkSwitch (4G/5G), and WG Tunnel. System tools include LibChecker, LogFox, RebootNya (reboot menu), ScreenOff/Extinguish (turn off the screen without going to sleep), setbox (settings modules), and aShell/ShizuShell (ADB shell with Shizuku).
There are OEM-specific utilities: Hex Installer for One UI themes, SBatteryTweaks for charging on Samsung devices, and in the MIUI world, tools like FiveGSwitcher, FxxkMIUIAd, Mi-FreeForm, or MixFlipTool. Compatibility varies , so it's best to read the fine print in each case.
Real experiences: what the community says
Reviews consistently convey the same message: Shizuku allows you to regain control without root access , uninstall bloatware using tools like Canta, free up several gigabytes of storage, and noticeably improve your phone's responsiveness. Others recommend NetWall for blocking connections without using the system's VPN , thus preventing access by custom DNS servers or other services that utilize the VPN tunnel.
The general feeling is that, by understanding the limitations of the OEM and the true scope of ADB/Shizuku, remarkable improvements in customization and productivity are achieved without sacrificing system integrity or compatibility with sensitive apps.
Resources, support, and community
If anything goes wrong, the author of SystemUI Tuner refers users to their XDA thread , email, and Telegram group. The source code is on GitHub and supports translations via Crowdin. There are also warnings to read before installing from the repository: terms of use, notes for Samsung users on Nougat/Oreo, and a link to the Settings.System add-on without root or Shizuku.
Remember these practical tips: ADB is not root access ; except on Android 11+, using ADB requires a computer; and there's a command to save you if night mode leaves your screen dark. Shizuku simplifies all of the above and, with rish, gives you a privileged shell for integrating with terminals and automations.
This duo allows you to recapture the granular customization we loved: a status bar tailored to your liking, controlled notifications, refined gestures, and custom animations. However, it's wise to proceed with caution, read the warnings, note down your changes, and know how to revert if something doesn't go as planned.
