Reference

What these words mean

The words in this guide, in plain language.

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Terms

adb: The tool a computer uses to send commands to a phone over a USB cable or Wi-Fi. Shizuku borrows the powers adb has, which are more than a normal app gets but far less than root.
Shizuku server: The background process, called shizuku_server, that does Shizuku's real work. adb or root starts it, not the Shizuku app. When adb restarts, debugging is turned off or the phone restarts, it stops.
Pairing: Introducing Shizuku to your phone's Wireless debugging once, with a six digit code. After that, you only need to start, not pair.
Pairing code: The six digit Wi-Fi pairing code shown under Pair device with pairing code. It is only valid while that pop up stays open.
Developer options: A hidden Settings page for app makers, unlocked by tapping Build number (or a similar line) 7 times. How.
USB debugging: A switch in Developer options that lets a computer send adb commands over a cable. Shizuku's manual asks for it to be on for every way of starting.
Wireless debugging: The same as USB debugging, but over Wi-Fi, from Android 11. It lets Shizuku start without a computer.
Authorization: Two kinds. adb authorization: your phone trusting a computer or Shizuku's pairing (forget it with Revoke USB debugging authorizations). Shizuku authorization: you allowing one app to use Shizuku (take it back in Shizuku's list of authorized apps).
Disable adb authorization timeout: A switch in Developer options on Android 11 or newer. Without it, Android forgets an adb authorization after 7 days without use.
Default USB configuration: Which USB mode the phone picks when you plug in. Set to No data transfer so plugging in doesn't restart adb and stop Shizuku.
Root: Full control over the phone, beyond what Android normally allows. Shizuku doesn't need it, and doesn't give it.
Sui: An option for rooted phones that rooted users can use instead of starting Shizuku in root mode.
rish: A way to use Shizuku's adb powers from a terminal app such as Termux. On Android 14 or newer its files must sit in the terminal app's own data folder.
Auto Blocker: A Samsung security feature that blocks commands sent over a USB cable. On by default on new setups from One UI 6.1.1. Turn it off to set up Shizuku. How.
SDK Platform Tools: Google's download that contains adb for Windows, macOS and Linux. Where to get it.
User service: A helper that an app asks Shizuku to run for it with adb powers. Fileglow's file helper is one. Shizuku 13.6.0 breaks them on some MediaTek phones.
OTG: A cable or adapter that lets a phone act like a computer and plug into another phone.
mDNS: How a device announces a service on the local network. Wireless debugging's pairing service is found this way, and some networks block it.
Private DNS: An Android setting that sends your web lookups to a DNS server you choose. Firewall's Kill switch changes it while it runs.

Sources: Shizuku setup guide, Shizuku introduction, Android adb docs, Samsung support: Auto Blocker, Release 13.5.2, Zanoshky app audit, October 2026