Install & Compatibility
Where this runs
tested against v17.17.0 · pip install
no network on importno background threads
Install × environment matrix
Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux
muslpy 3.10–3.910 runs
build_error
glibcpy 3.10–3.910 runs
installs and imports cleanly · install 5.0s · import 0.195s · 143MB
139MB installed
● package 139MB
Code
Verified usage
Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.
Device
✓ frida.get_local_device()
Device objects are typically obtained through discovery methods like `frida.get_local_device()`, `frida.get_usb_device()`, or `frida.get_remote_device()`, not directly imported.
Session
✓ device.attach(pid)
Session objects are returned by `device.attach()` or `device.spawn()` methods, not directly imported.
Script
✓ session.create_script(source)
Script objects are created via `session.create_script()` and loaded to execute JavaScript. Older versions might have used `frida.core.Script` for direct instantiation, which is less common for typical use cases now.
This quickstart demonstrates how to attach to an existing process or spawn a new one, inject a basic JavaScript payload to intercept file opening calls, and receive messages from the injected script. It includes platform-specific adjustments for Windows vs. Unix-like systems and error handling for common Frida issues. Ensure `frida-server` is running on a remote target if not working locally.
import frida
import sys
import os
import time
def on_message(message, data):
print(f"[+] Message from script: {message}, data: {data}")
try:
# Define a target process. On Windows, try 'notepad.exe'. On Unix-like, try 'bash' or 'sleep 60'.
# You can set this via an environment variable or change it directly.
# Example: FRIDA_TARGET_PROCESS=bash python your_script.py
process_name = os.environ.get('FRIDA_TARGET_PROCESS', 'notepad.exe' if sys.platform == 'win32' else 'bash')
print(f"[*] Attempting to attach to process: {process_name}")
session = None
try:
session = frida.attach(process_name)
print(f"[*] Attached to {session.pid}")
except frida.ProcessNotFoundError:
print(f"[-] Process '{process_name}' not found. Trying to spawn it.")
# Spawning might require specific paths or arguments for the process.
if sys.platform == 'win32':
spawn_cmd = [process_name] # For notepad.exe
else:
# For bash, spawn it with a command that keeps it alive for a bit
spawn_cmd = [process_name, '-c', 'sleep 60 & exec bash'] # or ['sleep', '60']
pid = frida.spawn(spawn_cmd)
session = frida.attach(pid)
print(f"[*] Spawned PID: {pid}. Attached.")
# Resume the spawned process if it was suspended (default for frida.spawn)
frida.resume(pid)
time.sleep(1) # Give it a moment to stabilize after resume
script_source = """
// Example JavaScript payload: Intercept a file opening function.
// Note: 'open' is common on Unix-like. On Windows, 'CreateFileW' is often used.
var targetFunction = null;
if (Process.platform === 'windows') {
targetFunction = Module.findExportByName('kernel32.dll', 'CreateFileW');
if (targetFunction) {
Interceptor.attach(targetFunction, {
onEnter: function(args) {
this.filename = Memory.readUtf16String(args[0]);
console.log('[JS] CreateFileW() called with filename: ' + this.filename);
},
onLeave: function(retval) {
// console.log('[JS] CreateFileW() returned: ' + retval);
}
});
console.log('[JS] Frida script for CreateFileW loaded!');
} else {
console.log('[JS] CreateFileW not found in kernel32.dll');
}
} else {
targetFunction = Module.findExportByName(null, 'open');
if (targetFunction) {
Interceptor.attach(targetFunction, {
onEnter: function(args) {
this.path = Memory.readUtf8String(args[0]);
console.log('[JS] open() called with path: ' + this.path);
},
onLeave: function(retval) {
// console.log('[JS] open() returned: ' + retval);
}
});
console.log('[JS] Frida script for open() loaded!');
} else {
console.log('[JS] open not found.');
}
}
console.log('[JS] Frida script initialization complete!');
"""
script = session.create_script(script_source)
script.on('message', on_message) # Attach a Python callback for messages from the JS script
script.load() # Inject and execute the JavaScript
print("[+] Script loaded. Intercepting calls. Press Enter to detach and exit...")
sys.stdin.read() # Keep the Python script alive to allow interaction
except frida.core.RPCException as e:
print(f"[-] Frida RPC Error: {e}")
if "Unable to connect" in str(e) or "Failed to attach" in str(e):
print(" Hint: Ensure 'frida-server' is running on the target device/host, or that you have sufficient permissions.")
elif "Process not found" in str(e):
print(" Hint: The target process might not be running or the name is incorrect.")
except Exception as e:
print(f"[-] An unexpected error occurred: {e}")
finally:
if session:
print("[*] Detaching from process...")
session.detach()
print("[*] Exited.")
frida --version
Debug
Known issues
breakingThe `frida` Python package version MUST precisely match the version of `frida-server` running on the target device/host. A version mismatch (even minor versions like 17.0.x vs 17.2.x) is the most frequent cause of 'Unable to connect', 'Failed to inject', or 'Lost connection' errors.fixEnsure `pip install frida` and `frida-server` (on the target) are of the exact same version. Use `frida --version` and `frida-server --version` to verify. If using `frida-tools`, it should also match.
affects: All versions, especially across major/minor boundaries.
gotchaFrida operations often require elevated privileges. Attaching to system processes, processes owned by other users, or performing certain injections typically requires root/administrator permissions. Running without sufficient privileges will result in 'access denied' or 'permission denied' errors.fixRun your Python script or `frida-server` with `sudo` (Linux/macOS) or as Administrator (Windows). Be aware of security implications.
affects: All versions.
breakingMajor `frida` versions (e.g., from 16.x to 17.x) frequently introduce breaking changes to both the Python API and the underlying JavaScript (GumJS) API. This can lead to scripts failing or behaving unexpectedly after an upgrade.fixAlways consult the official Frida release notes (`github.com/frida/frida/releases`) and Python API documentation (`frida.re/docs/py/`) when upgrading to a new major version to identify and adapt to breaking changes.
affects: Major version bumps (e.g., >16.x).
gotchaWhen injecting a JavaScript script, the Python host script must keep the `session` alive for the JavaScript to continue executing. If the Python script exits or `session.detach()` is called prematurely, the injected script will stop. For long-running monitoring, use `sys.stdin.read()` or block indefinitely waiting for messages.fixAfter `script.load()`, ensure your Python script has a blocking call (e.g., `sys.stdin.read()` for user input, or an event loop that processes messages) to prevent premature termination of the Frida session. Implement proper `finally` blocks for `session.detach()`.
affects: All versions.
Errors
Common errors & fixes
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'frida'
The 'frida' Python package is not installed or the Python environment where Frida is being run does not have it available. This can also occur if there's a Python version mismatch between the installed frida package and the Python interpreter being used.
fixEnsure `frida` is installed in your active Python environment using pip: `pip install frida` or `pip3 install frida`. If using a specific Python version, ensure the correct `pip` is used (e.g., `python3.x -m pip install frida`).
frida.ServerNotRunningError: unable to connect to remote frida-server
The Frida server executable is not running on the target device/emulator, or the Frida client cannot establish a connection due to network issues, incorrect port forwarding, or firewall restrictions.
fixStart `frida-server` on the target device (e.g., Android, iOS) and ensure it has the correct permissions (often root). For remote targets, set up ADB port forwarding: `adb forward tcp:27042 tcp:27042` (Frida's default port).
SystemError: attach_to_process PTRACE_ATTACH failed: 1
This error typically occurs on Linux-based systems when the user attempting to attach to a process does not have sufficient permissions, often due to `ptrace` restrictions.
fixTo allow non-root users to ptrace processes, adjust the `ptrace_scope` kernel parameter: `sudo sysctl kernel.yama.ptrace_scope=0`. This change might weaken system security. Alternatively, run the Frida script as root if appropriate.
Failed to spawn: unexpected error while spawning child process 'XXX'
Frida failed to launch a new process, which can be due to various reasons including incorrect application path, insufficient permissions (e.g., on macOS due to signing, or Android with security mechanisms like Magisk Hide/SELinux), or architectural mismatches between Frida-server and the target process.
fixCheck the exact path and name of the executable. For macOS, ensure Frida is properly signed and necessary permissions are granted (e.g., via `sudo security authorizationdb write system.privilege.taskport allow`). For Android, verify `frida-server` architecture matches the device, disable security features like Magisk Hide or SELinux enforcing mode if applicable, and ensure correct application identifier is used.
frida.ProcessNotFoundError: unable to find process with name 'XXX'
Frida could not find a running process with the specified name or PID on the target device. This is common when attempting to attach to an app that isn't running, or when using an incorrect name/identifier, especially on Android where the 'name' is often the user-facing label, not the package name.
fixEnsure the target application is running. Use `frida-ps -Uai` to list running applications and their correct identifiers (package names) or process IDs (PIDs). When attaching to Android apps, it's often more reliable to enumerate applications and attach by PID or the exact identifier.
Upgrade
Version history
17.17.0latest on PyPI · released Aug 5, 2026
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Dependencies
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