Database Info

[Q] Apps restricted via Google Play if ROOTED?

I came across this bit on wikipedia:
System access and copy protection
Applications developed for distribution on Google Play allow the developer to enable copy protection which prevents the end user from copying the application from the phone. Because the Android Dev Phone allows unrestricted access to the OS, this copy protection is disabled. If the developer enables copy protection on their application, then the application does not appear on Google Play for the Dev Phone.[3]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_Dev_Phone#Galaxy_Nexus
Now i was thinking, isnt a rooted phone technically same as developer edition phone? After all they both would have unrestricted access to the OS. Therefore is it so that as my device is rooted I might be missing some apps (though I havent noticed so far!).

shmotog said:
I came across this bit on wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_Dev_Phone#Galaxy_Nexus
Now i was thinking, isnt a rooted phone technically same as developer edition phone? After all they both would have unrestricted access to the OS. Therefore is it so that as my device is rooted I might be missing some apps (though I havent noticed so far!).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so, it should be the opposite, if you have root, you can modify your build.prop to make your device compatible with ALL Apps.

KuGeL94 said:
I don't think so, it should be the opposite, if you have root, you can modify your build.prop to make your device compatible with ALL Apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a rooted device?
Can you confirm if there are some apps that you cant access (considering, or rather assuming, you havent modified your build.prof, yet).

shmotog said:
Do you have a rooted device?
Can you confirm if there are some apps that you cant access (considering, or rather assuming, you havent modified your build.prof, yet).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have a rooted stock ROM, but havent stumbled across any app that I cant acces, maybe tell me some examples and i will see if i can acces them or not, there are always some apps that arent compatible like high end games or so because the hardware of the moto g isnt powerful enough, gta sa for example

I think apps like play TV & movies won't work, as well as some media streaming apps but not 100% been off the scene a few years.
Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

mutantlx said:
I think apps like play TV & movies won't work, as well as some media streaming apps but not 100% been off the scene a few years.
Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bought a stupid movie by google play just to test, works. hunger games, supposed to be top film, couldnt stand 5 mins of it.

It's possible for an app developer to block installation on rooted devices for a specific app - e.g. the SkyGo (UK TV provider) and Barclays Online Banking app can't be installed on rooted devices. There aren't many though and for those that are blocked you will find a thread somewhere on XDA where clever people have worked away around the restriction or are trying working a way around the restriction.

neu - smurph said:
It's possible for an app developer to block installation on rooted devices for a specific app - e.g. the SkyGo (UK TV provider) and Barclays Online Banking app can't be installed on rooted devices. There aren't many though and for those that are blocked you will find a thread somewhere on XDA where clever people have worked away around the restriction or are trying working a way around the restriction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are absolutely right about barclays. even though i dont have an account there, installed it just to test. quite disappointed.
my own banks app works but i read the fineprint and it said you shouldnt install it on rooted device, against t&c.
this is really depressing

Yep the restrictions on the Barclays app is the main reason I've left my Moto G stock.
What do the T&C's for your own banking app say? As far as I understand iit the worst case scenario is that your not covered for any loss if your bank account is hacked/defrauded AND the bank can categorically prove that the source of the hack was the app on a rooted device.
It does seem a bit ridiculous to me as there is nothing stopping anyone logging in to internet banking via their browser on a rooted phone, or for that matter on a computer in an Internet cafe somewhere which is IMHO far more risky. It's all about due diligence - if your account is defrauded and the bank can prove you haven't taken reasonable care with your bank cards / pin numbers / internet banking / connected apps and that is the cause of the fraud then you don't have the financial protection that you would get otherwise.

shmotog said:
you are absolutely right about barclays. even though i dont have an account there, installed it just to test. quite disappointed.
my own banks app works but i read the fineprint and it said you shouldnt install it on rooted device, against t&c.
this is really depressing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think there was a app called rootcloak and it hides root access, or something like that, you need xposed for it to work and if your already rooted might as well install xposed here's the link
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/xda-xposed-tuesday-root-cloak-xda-developer-tv/
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

tkelly0727 said:
I think there was a app called rootcloak and it hides root access, or something like that, you need xposed for it to work and if your already rooted might as well install xposed here's the link
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/xda-xposed-tuesday-root-cloak-xda-developer-tv/
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cheers bro ill check that out

neu - smurph said:
Yep the restrictions on the Barclays app is the main reason I've left my Moto G stock.
What do the T&C's for your own banking app say? As far as I understand iit the worst case scenario is that your not covered for any loss if your bank account is hacked/defrauded AND the bank can categorically prove that the source of the hack was the app on a rooted device.
It does seem a bit ridiculous to me as there is nothing stopping anyone logging in to internet banking via their browser on a rooted phone, or for that matter on a computer in an Internet cafe somewhere which is IMHO far more risky. It's all about due diligence - if your account is defrauded and the bank can prove you haven't taken reasonable care with your bank cards / pin numbers / internet banking / connected apps and that is the cause of the fraud then you don't have the financial protection that you would get otherwise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah you're absolutely right. However HSBC, the one I'm with, installs fine, but in its terms and conditions it says dont install if youre rooted. So well I uninstalled it before I even logged in with it. I just do banking on my desktop pc now.
Another app I came across that doesnt work in 4OD. At same time BBC iPlayer works.

neu - smurph said:
Yep the restrictions on the Barclays app is the main reason I've left my Moto G stock.
What do the T&C's for your own banking app say? As far as I understand iit the worst case scenario is that your not covered for any loss if your bank account is hacked/defrauded AND the bank can categorically prove that the source of the hack was the app on a rooted device.
It does seem a bit ridiculous to me as there is nothing stopping anyone logging in to internet banking via their browser on a rooted phone, or for that matter on a computer in an Internet cafe somewhere which is IMHO far more risky. It's all about due diligence - if your account is defrauded and the bank can prove you haven't taken reasonable care with your bank cards / pin numbers / internet banking / connected apps and that is the cause of the fraud then you don't have the financial protection that you would get otherwise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you confirm something for me, have you come across a Call Recorder that works on your moto g? I'm on ANDROREC and it works fine on 4.3 but when I updated to kitkat it stopped. Thats the primary reason why I rooted in first place to have call recorder. Could you check that for me @Neu-smurph?

tkelly0727 said:
I think there was a app called rootcloak and it hides root access, or something like that, you need xposed for it to work and if your already rooted might as well install xposed here's the link
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/xda-xposed-tuesday-root-cloak-xda-developer-tv/
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
installed xposed, 4od or barclay still dont work.

shmotog said:
Could you confirm something for me, have you come across a Call Recorder that works on your moto g? I'm on ANDROREC and it works fine on 4.3 but when I updated to kitkat it stopped. Thats the primary reason why I rooted in first place to have call recorder. Could you check that for me @Neu-smurph?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It installs fine and appears to be working, but the recordings are empty - no audio.

[GUIDE] Using(Understanding) XPRIVACY

Using XPRIVACY​*****won't be adding any more stuff to this guide for a while. will continue this when i have enough free time*******
XPRIVACY is undoubtedly the best privacy app out there. Its because of the options it supports almost all the android versions.
But it is not as easy to understand as App Ops or Pdroid privacy guard. Thats why inspite of my many attempts to use it, i gave up after few hours or days and switched back to App Ops.
It has come along way from when i made those attempts, it has become more user friendly and interactive but so many options which is its biggest plus point, also makes it hard for new users to switch from other privacy app to XPRIVACY.
I recently made a small guide about HOW TO USE APP OPS MORE EFFECTIVELY.
So the next obvious step was GUIDE on XPRIVACY. i have been putting it off from many days but now no more will add more videos whenever i can but its about time i that i finally get started with it.
I hope this guide will help my fellow XDA members to make the required switch or to introduce them to the world of XPRIVACY
Installation instruction, minimum requirements and other usefull stuff can be found at the official thread of XPRIVACY
What this Guide is ABOUT???​
>This guide is for NOOB users, so that they can understand how to use XPRIVACY. Also as i ahven't purchased the PRO version yet this huide will only cover functions of FREE version. I will be buying the PRO version soon and then it will cover use of PRO features as well
>I will try to explain different restriction using different apps.
>Examples will be video of the app with and without those restrictions and the effect that those restriction will have on that app
>NOTE 1 - this is not full blown guide and it is just to get you started. However it can turn into full blown guide depending on the inputs from various users and also after a certain time as i get better in using this app.
>Note 2: Differnet categories are explained using different app. Most of the times category name will be used as heading as you can see in 3rd point, but at some places where permissions like location, contacts , clipboard etc are explained i will use these words only as these words will result in easier understanding.
> More and more videos will be added as i find the appropriate app and a way to demonstrate the use of a particular permission using that app.
LETS START​Youtube playlist link​
1) Faking or restriction location
I am pretty sure this is going to be very useful to many people for playing location based games or to become mayor of certain place in foursquare and i am sure you can think of using it in many other apps.
Please note that you cannot fake location for some apps like google maps and facebook. these are the only two apps that i know of. you cannot fake location for these two apps but you can restrict it.
Also as you can see in the video you will be able to fake location in foursquare but when you will try to access google maps view from inside Foursqaure app you will get no location. But still you can check in and get suggestion from foursquare based on your fake location. default fake location is CHRISTMAS ISLAND. but you can change it through XPRIVACY(which is covered in the video).
2) Blocking access to the different accounts configured in your device
For this i have used Chrome beta as you can see in the video that blocking the account permissions will result in chrome not seeing the different google accounts that are present on my device. Thus i am unable to sign in chrome beta to sync my bookmarks and other stuff.
You can use this to block access from those app which try to gain access to the different accounts configured in your device.
Note: if you block access to 9gag, Ifunny etc apps like these for which you sign in using your configured google account. You wont be able to sign in those apps as these apps won't be able to see the configured account.
Although if a you sign in using username or email id which you use only for that particular app. You can block restrict this permission as it will have no negative effect on that app behaviour
3) Xprivacy Category - View Browser
For explaining what this permission does i have used DIGG app. This permission will restrict app from opening external links. or more precisely hyperlinks from withing app. If this permission is restricted you will be displayed warning from xprivacy when you try to open any link from withing the app(shown in the video).
4) More Videos to come soon..........
More videos to be added whenever i can find time and based on users input. I am also a beginner when it comes to XPRIVACY so be patient with me and if you have any ideas to make this thread better please do share it with us.
Once you have enough understanding to use Xprivacy on daily basis you can head over to XPRIVACY thread and post you advanced question there.
Currently i have some personal stuff to take care of so updating this thread is on hold. Will update it with more videos as soon as i can. I have made the videos just need to edit them and upload.

Reserved
reserved

Other Useful threads by Me
[GUIDE] Using Apps Ops (or Privacy Guard) 4 blocking wakelocks & saving battery
[App] Samachar - Indian News app and more

thanks
thanks for this helpful tutorial.
can u please tell me if I could use xprivacy to block adds on apps , cheers

drreality said:
thanks for this helpful tutorial.
can u please tell me if I could use xprivacy to block adds on apps , cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can block internet permission. That will block ads but that can also make app useless if it needs internet to function.
Why don't you use adaway or adblock pro to block ads?

I know this is a dumb question but I've been using Xprivacy for a few years now and I never could figure out what the two boxes to the right of the application names are for. I believe one is for restrict and one is for allow? If someone could let me know which each of those boxes means it would be much appreciated.

Good question. The two-column system is a later addition to xprivacy and many of the newbie tutorials don't cover it.
Let's take a simple example like location.
For starters, let's say the second column is unchecked. This is the easiest situation to understand. Then what happens depends on the first column.
The first column -- if it's checked then xprivacy will always deny access to location and will instead feed the app fake information as set up in the xprivacy settings.
If however the first column is unchecked then the app will be able to get to your actual location.
This is what you want with an app where the answer to "can it use this permission?" is always the same (either "always" or "never"). Second column unchecked, first column choice telling the app yes or no.
The second column controls the pop-ups that you see with xprivacy. If the second column is checked then you'll get a pop-up asking whether to allow the app the permission or not (whether or not the first column is checked).
There are four choices -- "allow", "deny", "don't know", and "oops I timed out".
"oops I timed out" will give the app whatever the answer in the first column is. You can tell what the first column is because the app says "Timeout will: allow/deny" depending on whether the first column is unchecked/checked.
If you click "allow" in the pop-up then xprivacy unchecks the second column in its settings, unchecks the first, and gives the app access to your true location. The popup will then not appear again unless you recheck the second column in the xprivacy settings.
If you click "deny" then xprivacy unchecks the second column, checks the first column and feeds the app fake location. Again you'll not see the popup again.
If you click "Don't know" then I *think* xprivacy denies access (whether or not the first column is unchecked) and leaves the second column checked, so it will ask again the next time.
How did I find this out? Well I didn't read it from a FAQ! I just downloaded xprivacy yesterday and I found it incredibly difficult to work out from scratch. In the end I just downloaded an app which prints out your gps location and nothing else, and I just experimented with it. The above is a report on my conclusions. I hope it helps other people because it is the post which I wish I could have read this time yesterday.
Note that other permissions might work slightly differently. For example it is not really possible to feed an app fake internet information, as this would require carrying around a fake internet on your phone. You can get a quick idea about what data can be faked by looking at the xprivacy settings. For example, you can fake your phone number and your MAC address. But as I've said you can't fake your internet and you can't fake your storage either -- which is quite a good idea because if you pretend to let an app write to your SD card and then pretend to let it read it and it can't find what it just wrote, this is bound to lead to trouble, probably more trouble than if you'd just denied it access in the first place.

Nice tutorial
@yannick.12
Many many thanks for you're well explained tutorial.
This is was definitley needed because is still (incredibly) very hard to find out some good guide out there, expecially for the "second column" options, as you mentioned.
Thank you, again my friend :good:

I got also another question (if someone knonw the answer) about the "shared rules". I mean, if I download the rules for some app, from the XPrivacy server, it's supposed to be the settings that someone has configure, ok. But what if I send my rules and, later in time, I download it again for that app? I got my rules (the rules that I uploaded before) or I got the " common" rules setted shared by the XPrivacy?
Sent from my Xperia E4g using XDA-Developers mobile app

Is it possible for xPrivacy to allow app's permission? I'm using a phone that runs android 5.1.1 and some apps just don't ask for permissions which makes it impossible for me to access storages. It will only respond that app has no permission to write over storages which makes the app not functional.

rUx_Gaming said:
Is it possible for xPrivacy to allow app's permission? I'm using a phone that runs android 5.1.1 and some apps just don't ask for permissions which makes it impossible for me to access storages. It will only respond that app has no permission to write over storages which makes the app not functional.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Won't work like that.... And that issue is still there.. Even with pie... App's developer fault..
Sent from my Redmi Note 5 Pro using Tapatalk

Kapiljhajhria said:
Won't work like that.... And that issue is still there.. Even with pie... App's developer fault..
Sent from my Redmi Note 5 Pro using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for info. Is there any possible workaround for this other than contacting the devs to fix storage permission issue?

rUx_Gaming said:
Thanks for info. Is there any possible workaround for this other than contacting the devs to fix storage permission issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, give permission manually from app info
Sent from my Redmi Note 5 Pro using Tapatalk

Kapiljhajhria said:
No, give permission manually from app info
Sent from my Redmi Note 5 Pro using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess there'snothing I can do other than look for an alternative app, android 5.1.1 won't let you edit app permission.

rUx_Gaming said:
I guess there'snothing I can do other than look for an alternative app, android 5.1.1 won't let you edit app permission.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean give app permission from app's info. I think u can do that... Dont remember 5.1.1 interface now but it should be possible
Sent from my Redmi Note 5 Pro using Tapatalk

Kapiljhajhria said:
I mean give app permission from app's info. I think u can do that... Dont remember 5.1.1 interface now but it should be possible
Sent from my Redmi Note 5 Pro using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone doesn't seem so. Here's how it looks like in the app settings.

A working package disabler?

Anyone managed to find a working safe package disabler? I feel all this bloatware is whats really killing my battery even tho I disabled &got rid of what I could. And even turned off the features I wouldn't be using that constantly drain. But I think the processes are still running for example the fingerprint process which I refuse to even use. I'd love to root but I think the tmobile s7 has been done yet.

Package Disabler Pro $2 in playstore

http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/debloater-remove-carrier-bloat-t2998294
Free.

sbdadmak said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/debloater-remove-carrier-bloat-t2998294
Free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That one requires root though.

0dBu said:
That one requires root though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works without root, it just doesn't remove them and instead only disables.

The built in one (under applications, DIsable) works fine and uninstalls all the updates so you regain any memory you've lost. I've disabled several including Lookout and and T-Mobile NameID and TV.

AndroiderM said:
Package Disabler Pro $2 in playstore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It got taken down at this time

nest75068 said:
It got taken down at this time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look again.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ospolice.packagedisablerpro&hl=en

mknewman said:
The built in one (under applications, DIsable) works fine and uninstalls all the updates so you regain any memory you've lost. I've disabled several including Lookout and and T-Mobile NameID and TV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should be noted, that NO, THE BUILT IN ONE does not work fine, and while you mentioned the other tmobile apps, you (probably intentionally) didn't mention the terrible, disable-proof, insulting, MEMORY INTENSIVE harassment of code that is the pointless T mobile "my account" app, with its system monitoring, and permanent notifications you have to jump through hoops to disable.
The fact that I have 200 MORE Samsung apps that I'm forced to run than my vanilla android counter parts is almost as insulting as the fact that Facebook, (and messenger), whatsapp, 5 pointless t mobile apps (2 of which are trials for premium paid features) are considered equally important and can't be uninstalled.
Thats purely asinine, and the watered down built in version does nothing about the services or dependent processes (aka battery consumption and everything else)
The T mobile hidden package "com.tmobile.pr.adapt" is so invasive that it quietly asks for root, the SECOND it detects the binary and DOES SO AGAIN AND AGAIN, OVER AND OVER without us ever getting an explanation...now it even shows up in marshmallow with data usage access... the only reason we know it even exists, or wants root, is supersu pops up, as our battery bottoms out...
Now, package disabler pro is gone from the store..oh wait...is it? Or is it just gone for Samsung devices? Or maybe just T Mobile, Samsung devices? Hrrmmm
No. The built in watered down version which doesn't help us with a package like tmobile.pr.adapt or let us disable every single thing we choose to, is simply NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
flyingwolf said:
Look again.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ospolice.packagedisablerpro&hl=en
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's only gone for certain devices...

My Account is not enabled on my S7 unless I start it up myself. The com.tmobile.pr.adapt is enabled but if you disable Diagnostics under App Settings in T-Mobile for me it uses very little data, 14mb in almost a month for me, and T-Mo claims that the usage is not charged to you. You are correct you cannot stop it with the default application manager, but it will not show up in the task bar unless you manually start it.
I'm not going to get into root issues, my phone is on the Jump on Demand so I'm planning to trade up every few months and yeah root is nice but for the most part unless you are a dev (I am not) you shouldn't need it. I'd love to have my copy of Root Explorer and Titanium Backup work (for restores) but can get along without it. If I really needed that stuff I wouldn't have given up my Sony Xperia Z Ultra which was running CM to go to a new unrooted platform.

Hi,
I have been using EZ package disabler since I got my S7 Edge and I am happy with it. Unfortunately, when the software update came, with too much excitement, I forgot to enable all disabled apps prior to updating the firmware. I have updated the firmware with apps disabled. What problem should I be facing? What should I do? Currently I am not experiencing any problems but I suspect that the disabled apps where not optimized. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

You can still find package disabler pro. Won't post the link because forum rules but Google is your best friend. I have it in my SD card.
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA-Developers mobile app

Tapjoy Seems to Detect Root?

I have 2 phones (same model) one rooted and the other one isn't. I have the same game installed on both phones, but when I open tapjoy on the rooted phone no offers for downloading apps or app actions appear, but on my non-rooted phone they do... So I really believe that tapjoy is somehow detecting root (I did magisk hide and safetynet pass).
All though I'm pretty sure tapjoy isdetecting root I did notice one weird thing on my rooted phone, when I search for "Alarmy" on Google Play it doesn't show up, but on my non-rooted phone it shows up in the play store (again same phone model and same android version! Android 11), this fact makes me uncertain if tapjoy is detecting root or not.
Does anyone know a solution or know what's going on?

Whether a phone's Android got rooted ( tampered in whatever way ) or not can easily be detected by any app.
People shouldn't believe that app developers aren't smart enough to detect it: they simply have to look inside vbmeta files and check for content of 2 bytes on fixed address.

jwoegerbauer said:
Whether a phone's Android got rooted ( tampered in whatever way ) or not can easily be detected by any app.
People shouldn't believe that app developers aren't smart enough to detect it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but there would still be a workaround.
What explains the Alarmy situation though? Alarmy doesn't show up in the Google Play Store before the app is installed

Zontraz said:
Yes, but there would still be a workaround.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you say so ...

jwoegerbauer said:
If you say so ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's obvious there would be a workaround, I was just hoping someone here knew it. If you know the exact method that they use to detect root it would be easy to make a workaround depending on the method.

I don't know what method is used in Tapjoy: it would require to decompile the APK and to look into app's source code.
FYI: I will certainly not do that.

App that allows root permissions without root?

Hello,
I was browsing around XDA the other day. I stumbled across the name of an app with a GitHub page. I am trying to remember the name of the app and cannot. It said it would allow root apps to function without actually rooting your phone. Does anyone happen to know what it is called?
I have a Pixel 4xl. I can and have rooted it before. However, even though I hid Magisks and excluded a app for a real casino I got banned. They tried to say it was because I was not able to be geolocated. However, the app confirmed with a message stating my phone was rooted.
I would like to be able to run AdAway without having to allow it to work via VPN. I already have a VPN which I use when I am not playing one of my online casinos. There are also a few more root apps I like. I would like to use them without any worry.
Thank you,
Rocky

what device?

aIecxs said:
what device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pixel 4xl I ended up finding the app. It was Shizuku. I did not get a change to read all about it when I first heard about it. The page I was viewing almost made it sound like a magisk replacement. Then, my phone died and I couldn't remember what it was called.
I wish there was an app or something that will allow this permissions for apps that need them to work better. However, remain undetectable at the same time. That would be great. There are a few root apps I love to install. However, root is not as popular as it once was to me at least.

that app allows running as adb shell, no root access can be provided.

@bigroc2223
Watch this video
Only caveat: ROMs available are only Android 7.1