Changelog 19 - Absolutely AB, Rocking Recovery and Blackened Black

In the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of Android customization, particularly within the realm of root management via Magisk, maintaining a comprehensive and transparent record of updates is paramount. We present Changelog 19, a significant compilation of revisions, enhancements, and critical fixes spanning the period since May 25th, 2018. This document serves as an essential resource for our dedicated user base, providing an in-depth analysis of the modifications implemented across our extensive suite of Magisk modules. Our commitment to stability, performance, and user experience is reflected in every line of code updated and every feature refined within this cycle.

This changelog details the intricate work behind our flagship modules, including the foundational Absolutely AB systemless remounter, the robust Rocking Recovery utility, and the aesthetic-focused Blackened Black collection. We have meticulously categorized these updates to ensure clarity and ease of navigation, allowing developers and enthusiasts alike to understand the precise nature of the changes deployed to the Magisk Module Repository. As we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible on rooted Android devices, transparency remains a core pillar of our development philosophy.

Absolutely AB: Systemless A/B Partition Remounter

The Absolutely AB module has been a cornerstone for users operating on devices utilizing A/B (seamless) partition schemes. Since its initial conception, our goal has been to provide a reliable, systemless method for modifying the inactive slot without triggering safety mechanisms or compromising device integrity. The updates in this changelog cycle focus heavily on refining the logic for partition detection and mount point management, ensuring compatibility with a wider range of devices and Android versions.

Enhancements in Partition Detection

One of the primary challenges with A/B devices is the dynamic nature of the active and inactive slots. Our development team has overhauled the detection script to better handle devices with non-standard partition naming conventions. Previously, certain devices would fail to correctly identify the other slot, leading to failed flash attempts or boot loops. We have implemented a more robust heuristic that checks for the existence of specific kernel command-line arguments and fstab entries to determine the correct slot with near-perfect accuracy. This ensures that Absolutely AB functions seamlessly across the vast majority of modern Android smartphones.

To further enhance the systemless nature of the module, we have optimized the mount logic to minimize writes to the actual partition tables. The updated script now utilizes a more aggressive temporary mounting strategy, creating virtual mount points in the Magisk mirror directory before any modifications are applied. This approach ensures that the original partition images remain untouched, allowing for easier recovery in the event of a user error. Furthermore, we have added checks to prevent mounting conflicts with other systemless modules that may interact with the /system or /vendor directories, ensuring a harmonious ecosystem for module interoperability.

Compatibility with Custom ROMs and Kernels

Recognizing the diversity of the Android development community, we have expanded Absolutely AB’s compatibility to include various custom ROMs and kernels. The previous version occasionally encountered issues with kernels that utilized compressed ramdisks or modified boot images. Our new initialization routine now includes a decompression and re-compression utility that is agnostic to the kernel’s configuration. This allows Absolutely AB to be flashed on a wider array of custom builds without requiring the user to manually patch the boot image. This level of flexibility is crucial for power users who frequently switch between different ROMs and kernel configurations.

Rocking Recovery: Advanced Backup and Restoration Utilities

Rocking Recovery has always aimed to bring powerful recovery features directly into the Magisk environment, eliminating the need to boot into a separate recovery partition for many common tasks. The updates detailed in Changelog 19 represent a significant leap forward in reliability and feature set. We have focused on improving backup success rates, expanding restoration capabilities, and integrating tighter security measures to protect user data.

Improved Backup Success Rates

Data integrity is the primary concern for any recovery solution. We identified specific scenarios where backups would fail due to file system locks or concurrent process activity. The updated backup engine in Rocking Recovery now employs a snapshot-based approach for supported file systems (ext4, f2fs). This creates a read-consistent state of the target partitions (such as data and boot) before the backup process begins, ensuring that the resulting image is not corrupted by active writes. Additionally, we have optimized the compression algorithm, balancing speed and file size to reduce the time required for full system backups.

Expanded Restoration Capabilities

While backup is essential, restoration is the ultimate test of a recovery tool. We have completely rewritten the restoration logic to handle a broader range of partition layouts and encryption statuses. For devices utilizing File-Based Encryption (FBE), Rocking Recovery now includes a pre-boot decryption routine that allows the restoration process to access the necessary directories without requiring the user to manually decrypt the device first. This is a critical improvement for Android 10 and later users. We also added support for restoring backups from external storage (USB-OTG), providing greater flexibility for users with limited internal storage space.

Security and Integrity Checks

To prevent the restoration of corrupted or malicious backup images, we have implemented a rigorous integrity verification system. Before any restoration begins, Rocking Recovery now calculates the SHA256 checksum of the backup image and compares it against a stored manifest (if available). If the checksums do not match, the restoration is aborted to prevent potential boot failures. Furthermore, we have hardened the permissions of the backup directory, ensuring that other applications cannot access or modify sensitive backup data stored on the device. This focus on security ensures that Rocking Recovery remains a trusted tool for critical system maintenance.

Blackened Black: System-Wide Dark Mode Integration

The Blackened Black collection has become the de facto standard for users seeking a true, deep black dark mode across the Android ecosystem. Since May 2018, we have expanded the scope of this module to cover more applications and system components, moving beyond simple UI overlays to deep resource replacements. The goal is to provide a cohesive, battery-saving aesthetic that integrates perfectly with the native Android dark theme.

Expansion to Third-Party Applications

Initially, Blackened Black focused on Google applications and the Android System UI. However, user demand has driven us to extend support to popular third-party applications. In this update cycle, we have added deep dark themes for applications such as WhatsApp, Instagram, and Twitter. Unlike superficial overlay apps that merely invert colors, our approach involves modifying the actual resource files within the APKs (systemlessly, of course). This ensures that icons, images, and specific UI elements are recolored correctly, avoiding the “ghosting” effect often seen in simpler dark mode solutions.

True OLED Optimization

A key differentiator of Blackened Black is its optimization for OLED displays. By utilizing pure black (#000000) for background elements, we ensure that individual pixels on OLED screens are completely turned off, resulting in significant power savings and reduced screen burn-in potential over time. We have refined the color palettes in this update to eliminate any gray or near-black hues that were previously present in specific dialogs and menus. The result is a striking, high-contrast visual experience that is both easy on the eyes and energy-efficient. We have also adjusted the saturation and brightness of accent colors to maintain readability and accessibility standards under the new dark background.

Dynamic Theming and Material You Integration

As Android continues to evolve, so does Blackened Black. We have begun implementing logic to support dynamic theming introduced in recent Android versions. While maintaining the core “black” aesthetic, the module now respects dynamic color extraction in supported launchers, allowing for subtle variations in accent colors that match the user’s wallpaper. This creates a personalized experience without sacrificing the dark theme’s integrity. Our development team is actively working to ensure that Blackened Black remains compatible with Material You design guidelines, providing a modern and fluid user interface that feels native to the platform.

General System Stability and Performance Improvements

Beyond the specific module updates, Changelog 19 encompasses a wide range of general improvements that affect the entire Magisk Module ecosystem hosted on our repository. We have conducted a comprehensive audit of our build scripts, dependency management, and installation routines to ensure maximum stability and performance.

Optimized Installation Scripts

We have standardized the installation logic across all modules to follow best practices for Magisk module development. This includes the proper usage of module.prop files, correct placement of files in the system directory, and effective use of the post-fs-data.sh and service.sh scripts. By optimizing these scripts, we have reduced boot times for devices running multiple modules and minimized the potential for conflicts during the Magisk installation process. We also introduced better error handling, ensuring that if a module fails to install, it does so gracefully without leaving residual files that could cause instability.

Dependency Management and Conflict Resolution

Module conflicts were a significant pain point for users in the early days of Magisk. To address this, we have implemented a more sophisticated dependency checking system. Before installation, our modules now check for the presence of other modules that might alter the same system components. If a potential conflict is detected, the user is alerted, and the installation is paused until the conflict is resolved. This proactive approach prevents the “silent failures” that often plagued complex module setups. Furthermore, we have updated our dependencies to ensure compatibility with the latest Magisk versions, leveraging new features introduced in the Magisk framework to enhance functionality and stability.

Enhanced Logging and Debugging

Troubleshooting is a critical aspect of modding. We have significantly improved the logging mechanisms within our modules. Detailed logs are now generated during installation, boot, and operation, providing developers and users with the information needed to diagnose issues. These logs are formatted for readability and include timestamps, process IDs, and specific error codes. We have also integrated a crash reporting feature (optional and user-controlled) that allows us to gather anonymous data on module failures, enabling us to quickly identify and patch bugs in future updates. This commitment to transparency and rapid bug resolution is a hallmark of our development process.

Conclusion: A Commitment to Excellence in Android Modding

Changelog 19 represents months of dedicated development, testing, and community feedback. We have refined our core modules—Absolutely AB, Rocking Recovery, and Blackened Black—to deliver a user experience that is stable, feature-rich, and visually stunning. By addressing specific technical challenges such as A/B partition management, backup integrity, and OLED optimization, we have solidified our position as a leading provider of high-quality Magisk modules.

We invite all users to explore these updates by visiting the Magisk Module Repository. Our commitment to the open-source community and the Android modding scene remains unwavering. As we look toward the future, we will continue to innovate, adapt, and improve, ensuring that our tools remain essential for enthusiasts seeking to unlock the full potential of their devices. The changes detailed in this document are not merely code updates; they are a testament to our relentless pursuit of perfection in the art of Android customization.

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