Cydia Substrate
Free ThemeAbout Cydia Substrate
*NOTE*: Substrate requires you to have "root" access on your device. Substrate may be incompatible with your device (such as missing symbols), but will attempt to detect this. There is also an irritation with many HTC devices; Substrate has a new workaround in it as of June 1st (0.9.4008) that should allow it to work on these systems.
(June 2nd now: it seems a small number of Samsung devices have a similar issue, and Substrate correctly detects that it canot use the same workaround; I will work on a new solution, likely one that solves both of these use cases at the same time. There is no harm in running Substrate and seeing if the workaround is possible: that's detected.)
Substrate is a platform for customizing software. Due to limitations of the Google Play Store it must be installed separately, but its primary purpose is to support other products: users should not expect Substrate itself to do anything interesting. Instead, it should be thought of as enabling your device to support other things you may install.
Products that use Substrate are able to modify any other program, whether it came with your phone or was installed later, or whether it was developed by Google or by a third-party developer. These kinds of changes carry an inherent risk: changes to the underlying software being modified may break the modifications ("extensions") you install.
*IMPORTANT*: Substrate for Android is new. While I've spent a bunch of time testing it on a bunch of devices with many versions of Android, there is always the possibility that there's something unique to your setup that causes an incompatibility. If possible, I'd recommend having a backup of your device handy; I'd also recommend being setup with a recovery mode image that allows you to easily delete Substrate. For more information, see this FAQ item.
http://www.cydiasubstrate.com/id/164f33e4-ca1e-440f-9379-3ff03b11cf5a/
Users should keep in mind that Substrate includes a safety feature: by holding down the volume-up button on your device you can disable Substrate while it is attempting to load these modifications (such as while it is turning on and starting); this will give you an opportunity to use Google Play to uninstall things that might be broken.
Substrate has been tested fairly extensively. It is designed to work on Android versions 2.3 or above, but will work on any "equivalent" versions (systems like CyanogenMod or the Kindle Fire use their own versioning schemes). It is supported on devices that use either ARM or Intel CPUs and works on "strange" devices (including Google Glass).
While Substrate support for Android is very new, Substrate was first released in 2008 for Apple's iPhone and is now being used by tens of millions of devices worldwide. Many people know it as "MobileSubstrate", how it is usually distributed for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch via Cydia, the alternative to the App Store for "jailbroken" devices.
If you are a developer, you can learn more about how to work with Substrate at http://www.cydiasubstrate.com/. There, you will be able to find documentation, tools, and examples. Substrate for Android also shares many development concepts and APIs with Substrate for other platforms, so tutorials from third-party websites may help.
(Users of Substrate on iOS may remember that there is a more general "Safe Mode" feature that will catch crashes, allowing for a more intuitive response to failures. This will be implemented in an upcoming version of Substrate for Android, but please remember: you can always use the "volume up to disable" feature to skip bad extensions.)
(Substrate requires the ACCESS_SUPERUSER permission, and during its installation it will add a few files to your device. No files will be modified or overwritten: only a few new files--all symbolic links, taking up virtually no space--are added. Substrate only requires root during installation and to help it restart your device to use new extensions.)
(June 2nd now: it seems a small number of Samsung devices have a similar issue, and Substrate correctly detects that it canot use the same workaround; I will work on a new solution, likely one that solves both of these use cases at the same time. There is no harm in running Substrate and seeing if the workaround is possible: that's detected.)
Substrate is a platform for customizing software. Due to limitations of the Google Play Store it must be installed separately, but its primary purpose is to support other products: users should not expect Substrate itself to do anything interesting. Instead, it should be thought of as enabling your device to support other things you may install.
Products that use Substrate are able to modify any other program, whether it came with your phone or was installed later, or whether it was developed by Google or by a third-party developer. These kinds of changes carry an inherent risk: changes to the underlying software being modified may break the modifications ("extensions") you install.
*IMPORTANT*: Substrate for Android is new. While I've spent a bunch of time testing it on a bunch of devices with many versions of Android, there is always the possibility that there's something unique to your setup that causes an incompatibility. If possible, I'd recommend having a backup of your device handy; I'd also recommend being setup with a recovery mode image that allows you to easily delete Substrate. For more information, see this FAQ item.
http://www.cydiasubstrate.com/id/164f33e4-ca1e-440f-9379-3ff03b11cf5a/
Users should keep in mind that Substrate includes a safety feature: by holding down the volume-up button on your device you can disable Substrate while it is attempting to load these modifications (such as while it is turning on and starting); this will give you an opportunity to use Google Play to uninstall things that might be broken.
Substrate has been tested fairly extensively. It is designed to work on Android versions 2.3 or above, but will work on any "equivalent" versions (systems like CyanogenMod or the Kindle Fire use their own versioning schemes). It is supported on devices that use either ARM or Intel CPUs and works on "strange" devices (including Google Glass).
While Substrate support for Android is very new, Substrate was first released in 2008 for Apple's iPhone and is now being used by tens of millions of devices worldwide. Many people know it as "MobileSubstrate", how it is usually distributed for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch via Cydia, the alternative to the App Store for "jailbroken" devices.
If you are a developer, you can learn more about how to work with Substrate at http://www.cydiasubstrate.com/. There, you will be able to find documentation, tools, and examples. Substrate for Android also shares many development concepts and APIs with Substrate for other platforms, so tutorials from third-party websites may help.
(Users of Substrate on iOS may remember that there is a more general "Safe Mode" feature that will catch crashes, allowing for a more intuitive response to failures. This will be implemented in an upcoming version of Substrate for Android, but please remember: you can always use the "volume up to disable" feature to skip bad extensions.)
(Substrate requires the ACCESS_SUPERUSER permission, and during its installation it will add a few files to your device. No files will be modified or overwritten: only a few new files--all symbolic links, taking up virtually no space--are added. Substrate only requires root during installation and to help it restart your device to use new extensions.)
All Application Badges
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Android
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Theme /
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Theme History & Updates
What's Changed
v0.9.4011:
* fix decoder bug inside ARM emulator
* support Genymotion Intel emulator
* add symbol names for Moto X
v0.9.4010: critical Android 4.3 fix, avoid old Superuser bug
^^ must install before Android 4.3 OTA!
v0.9.4009: work around Xposed bug, 4.2 fix, better errors
v0.9.4008: HTC linker path patch, limit symbol exports
v0.9.4007: RAZR i 4.1.2, detect HTC override, avoid ps
v0.9.4005: incompatibility detector, avoid mount/ln/mkdir
v0.9.4004: Holo, Script Failure, detect physical /vendor
v0.9.4011:
* fix decoder bug inside ARM emulator
* support Genymotion Intel emulator
* add symbol names for Moto X
v0.9.4010: critical Android 4.3 fix, avoid old Superuser bug
^^ must install before Android 4.3 OTA!
v0.9.4009: work around Xposed bug, 4.2 fix, better errors
v0.9.4008: HTC linker path patch, limit symbol exports
v0.9.4007: RAZR i 4.1.2, detect HTC override, avoid ps
v0.9.4005: incompatibility detector, avoid mount/ln/mkdir
v0.9.4004: Holo, Script Failure, detect physical /vendor
More downloads Cydia Substrate reached 1 000 000 - 5 000 000 downloads
More downloads Cydia Substrate reached 500 000 - 1 000 000 downloads
More downloads Cydia Substrate reached 100 000 - 500 000 downloads
Version update Cydia Substrate was updated to version 0.9.4011
What are users saying about Cydia Substrate
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by O####:
by O####:
Hi, thanks for your efforts on both iOS and Android! I have run into a major issue with this after installing it on my Cubot GT99 which runs Android 4.2.1. After installation and linking the files it requested a reboot which I did, unfortunately now my handset will not boot. It is stuck at the Cubot animated boot screen. Can you advise on how I fix this please? Thanks in advance
B
by B####:
by B####:
I am running a Nexus 7 (32gb Wi-Fi), ROM: Smooth ROM. Question: I have had this for a quite a while and have noticed there to be only 2 packages at the moment(Backport, Winterboard). My question is, am I missing something or are there just not a lot of extensions available at the moment?
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
CM11 (M9). LG G2 (D802 UK, stock used to be 80220d). Link substrate fails with "Script Failure shell status 1: [Unix.cpp:99] Permission denied". I give it 1 star for not supporting the most popular ROM out there.
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
The app says that Cydia Substrate is impossible to run on my device I have a Oppo Android phone currently running 5.1 (lolly pop) Please help me out... But I gave you a 5 star because I know how you guys are trying to help us Android users :)
D
by D####:
by D####:
For those hating he says like this is all new so relax and let the man work. You act like he just changed the file extension of cydia to .apk and it worked on android. Hes a iphone developer trying to show he can do both i give the man props especially for this and his master key exploit root that worked flawless. Dont give up bro you got this haters should make you work harder dont work on my LG but give it time you'll get it.
A
by A####:
by A####:
After I link cydia substrate files and do the system restart,'open cydia gallery' does not show up. I am using the mi3 and I have given this app root permissions.
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
When ever i open the app it says something about your device made it impossible substrate to perform its internal safety check and to email you guys about the problem which is what im doing right now, thanks! Oh yeah by the way for people who the same problem as me you should put a button that says continue anyway or something along those lines. sincerely the flame gamer
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
Well I got the error message something about my phone made it impossible for substrate to perform its safety check and to message saurik via email. We'll don't know where to get his email but I'm running a custom Rom, resurrection remix 5.8.1 nougat 7.1 on my s5. Not sure if that could be the issue or if this just isn't working nougat yet since a lot has changed since marshmallow. But anyways I have had it working on previous versions it's handy to have keep up the good work and hopefully I'll be able to get it working again in the future.
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
Hey, I tried to open it up although it will work on iPhone it will not work on Android lollipop.. I give it 3 stars cause I know it works just not on my phone.
N
by N####:
by N####:
This was not updated for a long time.. It was last updated 2013. Read the update date. Expect errors and bugs! Jesus.. Will anybody understand?
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
I got block launcher, to have texture pascks in minecraft. Block launcher tells me to install this app I install it. After this app is telling me to install another app???? Believe me...to who's reading this: don't waste you're time
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
I use tab 2 p3100 on JB and this app work well like a charm, but after i update to lollipop with rom slimLP its say something about ur device made it impossible to perform its internal safety check. Please give me a solution i need it for my clash of clash on war simulate.thanx before
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
"Note: something about your device made it impossible for Substrate to preform its internal safety check; can you please contact saurik via e-mail?" Is exactly what it said as soon as I installed this. What do I do? I don't have saurik's email address, so I can't contact them.
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
Installed this today to try and use RootCloak Plus to log into my snapchat. but after installing and opening i just get a message saying "something about your device made it impossible for Substrate to perfprm its internal safety check" I have a rooted Nexus 4 running Cyanogenmod 12.1 and Xposed Framework. How do i go about fixing this problem?? Will rate higher once i can use Substrate
L
by L####:
by L####:
it's always been a love-hate relationship with Saurik. He's done good work on scrypt and a few other projects. But it bothers me he paints everyone with the same brush.
Q
by Q####:
by Q####:
Help? I'm running a s7 edge and it said that something about it made it impossible for substrate to work. In the cydia ap it says I have to buy it from the play store but nothing comes up please help.
S
by S####:
by S####:
Working great :) thanks saurikit! Although I cannot get the extensions gallery to load on my device no matter what browser I used - I ended up making my own extensions :)
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
I downloaded it on ky lg k7 and i am on lollipop and rooted phone still didnt work couldnt analyze
F
by F####:
by F####:
I started it and as soon as I got on it says it's impossible to do anything. I advise u don't download this
M
by M####:
by M####:
Nexus 5 4.4.3 won't show to browse hacks. Restarted several times
H
by H####:
by H####:
Hello can you tell my why is this happening with my phone they show me a page which saying that you dont have permission and contact to the saurik what is meant this plz share view about this problem....
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
Weeks later, still no help. Galaxy s5 asks for a stock web browser... I have tried many things to fix it none have worked. EDIT: Couple months later no help. Thanks. EDIT: still no fix for galaxy s5, and let alone the fact it don't work period on lollipop.
N
by N####:
by N####:
Cannot get to work on my Google Nexus 4. As soon as the app opens it says "Note: Something about your device made it impossible for Substrate to perform it's internal safety check; please contact Saurik via e-mail?" My device is rooted and runs with Super SU Pro, can anyone help?
N
by N####:
by N####:
Something about your device prevents bla bla, on sm-g531f
O
by O####:
by O####:
But did this die? It had not been updated in quite a long time.
N
by N####:
by N####:
I cant believe after all this time they still haven't fixed this crap, still says not working with my browser
N
by N####:
by N####:
Unfortunately cannot use on the HTC M8 as it asks for the stock browser. A fix for this would be brilliant Saurik
F
by F####:
by F####:
Every time I go into it it says that something is making it impossible to run it's internal safety check on my devise. My phone is a zte blade q lux.please fix and I might rate 5 stars. Also my device is rooted.
N
by N####:
by N####:
When I open the app I get an error saying that my device isn't fully supported and to contact Saurik. Not sure what the problem is but assuming it's related to the phone being 64bit?Xposed doesn't support 64bit devices so was hoping that I could use Cydia with RootCloak to hide my root. Still given 5 stars as Saurik is a legend and I know support for the S6 won't be long coming.Used Cydia/M-Substrate since he released his software on iPhone. Thanks for all the effort youve put into dev some amazing software
N
by N####:
by N####:
I reset system so many times. The gallery will not show up. I have an LG optimus L70. And my phone is rooted. I tried everything no clue what else to try. Can you guys fix this problem? Please and thanks.
N
by N####:
by N####:
I am using 5.0 android lollipop and its saying something wrong with your device can you send via contact email?pls fix it
N
by N####:
by N####:
My Lenovo Tab 2 a10-70 on KitKat did not start / stuck in start screen after installing this. Had to remove it via recovery (TWRP).
H
by H####:
by H####:
Hi. I'm using the Zenfone 2 with Cyanogenmod 13 (Android Marshmallow) and when I open substrate it says it "can't perform its internal safety check". Is there a way to fix this?
F
by F####:
by F####:
Great work getting cydia substrate on Android.. But there are still some bugs, which is expected.. Good job :) would be great when you make it work fully with cyanogenmod though
N
by N####:
by N####:
CM11 (M9). LG G2 (D802 UK, stock used to be 80220d). Link substrate fails with "Script Failure shell status 1: [Unix.cpp:99] Permission denied". I give it 1 star for not supporting the most popular ROM out there.
N
by N####:
by N####:
Not working on a stock Nexus 5 - I've read on the website that it is supported up to android 4.4 maybe lollipop has been left out.
N
by N####:
by N####:
Because im a Little Kid And i Think This is For Parents So im Sorry To Tell This But Yeah But i Think i Still Like it So Enjoy :D
N
by N####:
by N####:
This app do what it says but it also makes my phone slower. When I try to take screenshot there is random 1-3 sec delay when this app is installed. I need exactly timed screenshots so this is 'dealbreaker' for me. When I unlink Substrate Files then this delay vanish and phone seems to response quicker. So, uninstall. Hopefully this lag problem is fixed in future versions. - Galaxy S4 & Cyanogenmod
D
by D####:
by D####:
I would love to have this in my phone if only it wouldn't say 'something about your device made it impossible for substrate to perform'.
by Z####:
Cydia on iOS is amazing. You can't beat all the amazing tweaks and themes that are available from the repos. I hope that Saurik can bring this amazing experience to Android. Keep up the good work man. However, on all my devices, I can't seem to get Substrate to work. Some show the 'something about your device made it impossible for Substrate to run its internal safety check' and some do show the 'Link Substrate Files', but tapping on them don't do anything. I do have Samsung devices, which don't seem to have much support. Not sure whether flashing another rom would help.