Root BlueStacks 5+ Rooting Guide (2026 Edition) with Kitsune Mask

Important

Getting "Android system doesn't meet security" popup? Expand the Troubleshooting section below for the fix (downgrade to BlueStacks 5.22.130.1019).

Root your BlueStacks 5+ or MSI App Player emulator effortlessly using Kitsune Mask. This guide provides a streamlined, text-based approach to granting root access to your instances, allowing you to run applications that require root privileges. No external tools are necessary, just your PC, Notepad, and Kitsune Mask.

Note

BlueStacks Root GUI (Recommended Method)

My Python-based portable application allows you to toggle root access and enable read/write (R/W) permissions for your BlueStacks and MSI App Player instances with simple button clicks. It automatically detects all instances and is actively maintained.

For an easier experience, check it out at BlueStacks-Root-GUI.

Important

Tested Versions:

This guide is verified to work on BlueStacks App Player 5.22.130.1019 (last version compatible with rooting), 5.22.0.1102, and MSI App Player 5.10.0.1085, supporting Android 9, 11, and 13. Versions 5.22.130.1020+ are not compatible due to Play Integrity enforcement. This tutorial assumes you are using a master instance like Rvc64 (Android 11).

Warning

Understanding Kitsune Mask and BlueStacks Partitions:

Kitsune Mask is normally a systemless root tool, but emulators like BlueStacks lack a traditional boot image, so it must be installed directly to the /system partition. BlueStacks partitions are initially read-only, which prevents this. This guide uses a simple configuration file edit (via Notepad) to temporarily enable read/write permissions, allowing the installation.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• Administrator Rights: You need administrative access to modify system files in C:\ProgramData.
• Kitsune Mask APK: Download the APK from the KitsuneMagisk archive (v26.4 stable — the original repo is no longer available).
• Fresh BlueStacks/MSI Installation (Recommended): For the most consistent results, start with a clean installation.

Expected Outcome

Upon successful completion of this guide, your BlueStacks or MSI App Player instance will be fully rooted with Kitsune Mask.

Summary of Steps

Here's a quick overview of the rooting process. See the "Detailed Steps" section below for a comprehensive walkthrough:

1. Step 1: Prepare: Cleanly install BlueStacks or MSI App Player.
2. Step 2: Modify Configuration: Edit bluestacks.conf to enable root access features.
3. Step 3: Enable R/W: Adjust settings in instance files to allow read/write access to system partitions.
4. Step 4: Install Kitsune Mask: Install Kitsune Mask directly to the /system partition and revert configuration changes.

---

Detailed Steps

Instance Naming Convention:

This tutorial uses the following naming conventions for master instances:

Master Instances:
  - Tiramisu64  = Android 13 (beta)
  - Rvc64       = Android 11
  - Pie64       = Android 9

Adapt the instance names according to your setup.

Step 1: Prepare

1. Fully Uninstall Previous Versions:

   • Use the official tool to completely uninstall all previous BlueStacks installations.

2. Install a Compatible Version:

   • Download BlueStacks 5.22.130.1019 (last version compatible with rooting) or MSI App Player.
   • Do not install the latest BlueStacks version — versions 5.22.130.1020+ block rooting due to Play Integrity enforcement. See Troubleshooting for details.

Step 2: Modify BlueStacks Config

1. Locate the Main Configuration File:

   • For BlueStacks 5, navigate to C:\ProgramData\BlueStacks_nxt.
   • For MSI App Player, navigate to C:\ProgramData\BlueStacks_msi5.

2. Edit with Notepad:

   • Open bluestacks.conf using a text editor with administrator rights.

3. Modify Configuration Values:

   • Find and change the following two lines. If they don't exist, add them.
   • Change bst.feature.rooting="0" to bst.feature.rooting="1".
   • Change bst.instance.Rvc64.enable_root_access="0" to bst.instance.Rvc64.enable_root_access="1".

   Note: Replace Rvc64 with your target instance name (e.g., Pie64, Tiramisu64, or a custom name like Rvc64_1).

4. Save Changes:

   • Save the modified bluestacks.conf file.

Step 3: Enable R/W

1. Navigate to the Instance Folder:

   • For BlueStacks 5: C:\ProgramData\BlueStacks_nxt\Engine\Rvc64
   • For MSI App Player: C:\ProgramData\BlueStacks_msi5\Engine\Rvc64

   Note: Replace Rvc64 with your target instance folder name. Cloned instances may have names like Rvc64_1.

2. Modify the .bstk.in file:

   • Open Android.bstk.in with a text editor. This file is always in the master instance folder.
   • For the location="fastboot.vdi" and location="Root.vhd" entries, change the attribute from type="Readonly" to type="Normal".
   • Example:

     -         <HardDisk uuid="{...}" location="fastboot.vdi" format="VDI" type="Readonly" />
     -         <HardDisk uuid="{...}" location="Root.vhd" format="VHD" type="Readonly"/>
     +         <HardDisk uuid="{...}" location="fastboot.vdi" format="VDI" type="Normal" />
     +         <HardDisk uuid="{...}" location="Root.vhd" format="VHD" type="Normal"/>

   • Save the file.

3. Modify the .bstk file:

   • Open Rvc64.bstk (or your instance's .bstk file) with a text editor.
   • Repeat the same change: set fastboot.vdi and Root.vhd to type="Normal".
   • Save the file.

Step 4: Install Kitsune Mask

1. Download the Kitsune Mask APK file.

2. Launch the target instance from the BlueStacks/MSI Multi-Instance Manager and install the APK.

3. Open the Kitsune Mask application.

4. Root using Kitsune Mask:

   • In the app, select the Install option.
   • Tap Next.
   • Select the Direct Install to /system option.

   Note: If this option is missing, completely close and reopen the Kitsune Mask app inside the emulator. This usually resolves the issue.

5. Let the installation complete, then close the BlueStacks emulator completely.

6. Revert Configuration Changes:

   • Open bluestacks.conf again (from Step 2).
   • Change bst.instance.Rvc64.enable_root_access="1" back to "0".
   • Crucially, also ensure bst.feature.rooting="1" is changed back to "0".
   • Save the file. You must leave the R/W changes from Step 3 as type="Normal".

7. Done! Launch the instance. Kitsune Mask should be installed, and root access will work.

Troubleshooting

Getting "Android system doesn't meet security" popup?

You're not alone! This started happening with BlueStacks version 5.22 (released October 2025).

What's Happening?

When you enable root access OR read/write permissions in BlueStacks 5.22+:

• Shows security warning: "Android system doesn't meet security and will be shutdown"

Root Cause: Google replaced SafetyNet with Play Integrity API in January 2025. BlueStacks 5.22 now actively checks for modifications and blocks startup.

How to Fix It

Downgrade to BlueStacks 5.22.130.1019

1. Backup Your Data

   • Export any important app data/saves from BlueStacks

2. Completely Uninstall BlueStacks

   • Download BSTCleaner from official BlueStacks support
   • Run it to completely remove all BlueStacks files

3. Install BlueStacks 5.22.130.1019

   • Download from 5.22.130.1019
   • Install normally

4. Apply This Rooting Guide

   • Follow the normal steps in this README
   • Everything should work as documented!

Use BlueStacks-Root-GUI to quickly toggle root between instances.

Version Compatibility

BlueStacks Version	Root Working?	Notes
5.20.x	Yes	Fully compatible
5.22.130.1019	Yes	Last confirmed working version
5.22.130.1020+	No	Play Integrity enforcement (Oct 2025)

@AndnixSH has informed the issue tracker that: "After testing various versions, I found out that 5.22.130.1019 is the last working version without disk integrity check. 5.22.130.1019"

Background: See Issue #11 for discussion and community findings.

---

Kitsune Mask Installation Issues

• Problem: Kitsune Mask fails to install, or the "Direct Install to /system" option is missing.
• Solution: This almost always means the R/W changes in Step 3 were not done correctly, or BlueStacks was not fully closed before making the changes. Double-check that fastboot.vdi and Root.vhd are set to type="Normal" in both the .bstk.in and .bstk files.

"Permission Denied" when saving files

• Problem: You cannot save bluestacks.conf or other files.
• Solution: You must open your text editor (like Notepad) as an administrator. Right-click the editor's icon and select "Run as administrator" before opening the file.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which version of BlueStacks should I install?

A: Install BlueStacks 5.22.130.1019 — it is the last version compatible with rooting. Versions 5.22.130.1020 and newer block rooting due to Play Integrity enforcement.

Q: I can't find the C:\ProgramData folder!

A: This folder is hidden by default in Windows. In File Explorer, go to the View tab and check the box for Hidden items.

Q: This all seems terribly difficult; isn't there a better way?

A: Yes! The manual steps are here for transparency, but for a much easier process, use my BlueStacks-Root-GUI tool. It handles all the configuration file editing with simple buttons.

Q: Can I reverse this rooting process?

A: Yes. In the GUI, simply toggle Root off. Manually, change the values in bluestacks.conf back to "0" and uninstall the Kitsune Mask app from the instance.

---

If this guide has helped you, please consider leaving a star on the repository! It helps others discover this guide and motivates further improvements.

GitHub Repository