By Site Author
Last verified: Oct 3, 2026
The only official Shizuku is published by RikkaApps on GitHub. Everything else — ShizukuPlus, thedjchi builds, GentleClash, ShiroiKuma0 — is a community fork: real code, a different maintainer, a different signing key. “Mod APK”, “premium”, or “cracked” downloads are something else entirely: unverifiable re-uploads you should never install. This page decodes each variant so you install exactly what you intend to.
IMAGE: side-by-side crops of the official RikkaApps releases page and a fork’s releases page, labeled
Variant comparison
| Variant | Maintainer | Latest build (known) | Trust verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official | RikkaApps | v13.6.0 (r1086), May 25, 2026 | Install this — the reference release |
| ShizukuPlus | thejaustin | r2604 (Sept 2026); README noted paused development Aug 22–23, 2026, commits resumed Sept 22–24, 2026 | Active community fork — legitimate, but not official |
| thedjchi | thedjchi (community) | “13.7.0-thedjchi” builds | Community fork — not a newer official release, even when sites label it “latest” |
| GentleClash | GentleClash | shizuku-v13.6.0.r1094.4ae64007-release.apk | Patch fork for the Android 16 (API 36) / OneUI 8.5 startup crash — only if you’re affected |
| ShiroiKuma0 | ShiroiKuma0 | Rebased on ShizukuPlus r2347 | Fork with a watchdog / AlarmManager restart layer — niche use |
| Mod / “premium” / cracked APKs | Unknown re-uploaders | Various | Never install — no verifiable source, real malware risk |
The signing-key rule
Forks are signed with different developer keys than the official app. Android treats a differently-signed APK as a completely different app, which means:
- You must uninstall the original Shizuku before installing a fork (and vice versa).
- You cannot update from official to a fork in place.
- Switching variants means re-authorizing all your apps afterward.
If an “update” ever asks you to uninstall first, that’s your clue you’re crossing between signing keys — stop and confirm which variant you’re actually installing.
How to tell what you actually installed
- Open Shizuku → About and read the full version string.
- Official builds read v13.6.0 with build r1086 and come from the RikkaApps/Shizuku releases page.
- Fork builds carry the fork’s identity in the tag — “thedjchi”, “r1094.4ae64007”, ShizukuPlus-style “r2298″/”r2347” strings, and similar.
- If the version string matches nothing on the official releases page, you’re running a fork or a re-upload. That’s fine if it’s deliberate — the problem is only when it happens by accident.
Red flags
- Any site labeling a fork “official latest version.” APKCombo, for example, labels “13.7.0-thedjchi” as the official latest — it isn’t.
- “Shizuku Mod APK”, “Shizuku Premium”, “Shizuku Pro cracked.” There is no official premium edition. These are re-uploads from unknown sources.
- Download buttons that don’t lead to a GitHub releases page you can inspect. If you can’t see the source repo, commits, and release notes, don’t install the file.
Which should you install?
- Almost everyone: the official RikkaApps release. See the latest version page.
- Hitting the Android 16 (API 36) / OneUI 8.5 startup crash: consider the GentleClash patch fork — and switch back to official once the issue is resolved upstream.
- Curious about ShizukuPlus extras: understand it’s a separate project with its own release rhythm, and that its development paused in August 2026 before resuming in September 2026.
- Everyone else: avoid forks. More variants mean more confusion, and the official build covers the documented use cases.
A note on ShizukuPlus’s pause
In August 2026 the ShizukuPlus README carried a “[DEVELOPMENT PAUSED]” banner — the maintainer had moved to a new phone, was rebuilding his development environment, and asked for contributors. Active commits resumed in late September 2026 (r2604). Treat pause announcements as status updates, not death notices: check a repo’s recent commits before deciding a fork is abandoned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ShizukuPlus official?
No. It’s an active community fork by thejaustin. Legitimate, but not RikkaApps — different maintainer, different signing key, different release rhythm.
Is 13.7.0-thedjchi newer than v13.6.0?
No — the numbers aren’t comparable. “13.7.0-thedjchi” is a fork’s own numbering, not a newer official release. The official latest remains v13.6.0 (r1086).
Can I install a fork over the official app?
No. Different signing keys mean you must uninstall first, then install the fork fresh — and re-grant your app authorizations afterward.
Are mod APKs of Shizuku safe?
No. There is no official mod or premium edition. Re-uploaded APKs from unknown sources can be tampered with. Never install them.
Which fork fixes Shizuku crashing on Android 16?
The GentleClash fork patches the Android 16 (API 36) / OneUI 8.5 startup crash (strict isolated classloader namespaces for app_process). Use it only if you’re affected, and prefer the official build otherwise.
Verified against the official GitHub releases page on Oct 3, 2026.