SuperSU was historically a core application used alongside the process to root Android devices, serving as the primary tool for managing the superuser permissions granted by rooting.
Understanding SuperSU's Role
While SuperSU itself wasn't typically the exploit that initially gained root access on a device, it was the essential superuser management tool installed after an exploit succeeded. Its primary function was to control which applications were allowed to use root permissions and to prompt the user for approval whenever an app requested superuser access.
As the reference highlights: In the past, SuperSU was mainly used to root Android devices. Developed by Chainfire, it became the de facto standard for managing root access on Android, allowing users granular control over app permissions and device capabilities that are normally restricted.
How SuperSU Worked in the Rooting Process
When someone rooted an Android device using methods like flashing a custom recovery (e.g., TWRP) and then flashing a SuperSU zip file, or using specific one-click root tools, SuperSU was the component that provided the su binary and the SuperSU app.
- The
subinary: This is the command-line tool that allows other apps or commands to execute with superuser privileges. - The SuperSU app: This provided the user interface for managing root requests, viewing logs, and configuring settings related to root access.
Essentially, SuperSU didn't perform the initial hack to break through Android's security layers; rather, it was the critical system placed behind that breach to make the newly acquired root access functional, controllable, and relatively secure for the user.
Why SuperSU Was Popular
Its popularity stemmed from:
- Reliability: It was known for correctly handling root requests.
- Security: It provided detailed control over which apps got root access, mitigating potential security risks from malicious apps.
- Compatibility: It worked across a wide range of devices and Android versions for a significant period.
In summary, while SuperSU didn't execute the initial exploit, it was an indispensable part of the process of rooting and subsequently managing root access, making it a tool used to facilitate and control a rooted state on a phone.
