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[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]
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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!).
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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.
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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).
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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?
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Click to collapse
It installs fine and appears to be working, but the recordings are empty - no audio.

security concerns migrating from iOs to Android

As title suggests, coming from a so called "clean" iOS environment to Android, my main concern how susceptible is my data to being stolen. I have no (current) plans to root my next phone and will be used mainly from business, but from what I have read in the past even google play store apps have been to known to have malicious content. Am I worrying too much ? I do carry sensitive work data on my iPhone.

applefag said:
As title suggests, coming from a so called "clean" iOS environment to Android, my main concern how susceptible is my data to being stolen. I have no (current) plans to root my next phone and will be used mainly from business, but from what I have read in the past even google play store apps have been to known to have malicious content. Am I worrying too much ? I do carry sensitive work data on my iPhone.
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As long as the apps you install are from known sources (i.e. Play Store) you don't need to worry. Also every time you download an app check the permissions. If you think that the app shouldn't have those permissions then don't download it. Finally for safety reasons never install any apps from unknown sources (i.e. outside of Play Store) unless you trust the developer.
If you still find yourself worrying read this.

applefag said:
Am I worrying too much ?
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Yep
I think you won't install any app outside Google Play so install apps that you know and you won't need to worry. FYI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security-Enhanced_Linux
kalpetros said:
Also every time you download an app check the permissions. If you think that the app shouldn't have those permissions then don't download it.
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Well only if you are sure. Sometimes apps need permissions that aren't justified for some people.

for the open nature of the android ecosystem, it is somewhat normal that you will have to be careful though there are several different techniques, i use this the most.
Root your phone, install xposed framework and install xprivacy. here is a review of what it does http://www.xda-developers.com/android/manage-individual-app-permissions-with-xprivacy/ . I know the installation pprocess may seem daunting, but it is easier than you think this module wil allow you to block apps of certain permission. IE. you can block location service for all the apps on your phone so that no app can get your location. There are bunch of other permissions that you can block like access to contact, gallery etc
My question to others is : Is antivirus application on android worth it? I mean can it protect me from real time attaks and malwares??

SaffatBokul said:
My question to others is : Is antivirus application on android worth it? I mean can it protect me from real time attaks and malwares??
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Not useful IMO. FYI I remember this article.

User sensibility is your best defense. Don't install apps not from the market. Only install apps with a lot of positive comments.
I would advise again rooting your phone. It's true that there are ways to block apps from accessing your private data on a rooted phone, but the additional vulnerability from unlocking your bootloader and rooting is not worth it. Just stick to apps from major developers.

snapper.fishes said:
User sensibility is your best defense. Don't install apps not from the market. Only install apps with a lot of positive comments.
I would advise again rooting your phone. It's true that there are ways to block apps from accessing your private data on a rooted phone, but the additional vulnerability from unlocking your bootloader and rooting is not worth it. Just stick to apps from major developers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, rooting your phone comprimises your security even if you do it to install security apps.

Primokorn said:
Yep
I think you won't install any app outside Google Play so install apps that you know and you won't need to worry.
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Click to collapse
Unfortunately, new apps in Google Play are rarely verified by Google staff, so there is still always a possibility of trojan or other malware.

Play Store and FE:Heroes "incompatibility"

So this is the first time I've witness a problem like this, where I want to download an app (Fire Emblem: Heroes), but the Play Store does not show it on my phone! When I search it on my computer it says it's not compatible with my devices. I figured it was due to root, so I unrooted a device that I soft rooted and it worked. I can now play on that device. However, my main device, my phone, is much more deeply rooted. So, is there a documented issue with apps not appearing on the play store due to root and is there any way to circumvent this? I want to avoid downloading apks from third party websites preferably, but the app itself has root detection on it as well once you DO install it! But basically, I don't want to miss out on a potentially good app because of some silly root check. If I don't see it I may never know about it!

Same problem here. So you are you sure that before the unroot the game wasn't working on your other phone? I never heard of apps not appearing in store due to root, usually you can download the app and then the ban happen as soon as you run it.
I'm on Galaxy S7 rooted android 6 tried on Nougat too but no luck. Also tried on Galaxy S4 and also i saw in the compatibily list also my old Lg G2 is not compatible, both are rooted too. I remember i was able to pre register too so now i'm pretty mad i can't play it since i'm a fan of the series.

Yeah, I'm sure. At first I was super confused. Then I tried using someone else's phone, and it not only showed up, but it showed an advertisement for the game on the front page! As soon as I unrooted my device, the app showed up on the front page of the play store and was searchable as well. Now when I search for the game on my computer it says "Some devices not compatible with this game" and it only shows my rooted phone as not being compatible. I agree with you that this is pretty bizarre. I didn't know Google Play went through that kind of effort detecting root, especially since they have apps that are root only. So the question now is, how do you hide root from Google Play?

How do you unroot your phone? I used the option on supersu to unroot but still the game says is not compatible.

You could try using Magisk to hide root.

Pwnycorn said:
You could try using Magisk to hide root.
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I tried Magisk but still no luck.Maybe there are some others remainings files on my phone that are detected or maybe i simply did something wrong i don't know.
I guess that's it, i'm not going to remove my root, really Nintendo surprise even on mobile with their retarded politics, i would have probably spended some money on the game only to support it like i did with other games i liked.

I removed root AND xposed. Maybe if you have xposed it still detects it. My unroot method was just using the superSU removal option. But like I said, my root was pretty light, I just rooted to uninstall a few stock verizon apps. If you have a rom with root embedded in it, you might not be able to unroot without reinstalling a new ROM. I understand Nintendo wanting to block rooted users since rooting is how you get hacks for your paid apps. However, they're isolating a pretty large base of players by doing that and it's probably not a good business decision. They're losing out more on the majority of people that don't risk installing said hacks on their phone. Those kind of hacks don't even break the game either, which makes it even more asinine. It would just be some guy ruining the game for himself by removing the limitation of orbs or experience.

P.S. It is a pretty good game and I'm fully enjoying myself with it. I might recommend getting a cheap $150 tablet to play it if you can't unroot.

Is there a way to make an app think it has location permission but not actually?

I recently picked up a dji osmo 3 - a stabilizer gimbal.
I do not know why, but the app demands location access. It will not allow you to use the app if you do not grant it. I even tried granting permission and then while using the app revoking permission - the app then prompts you again for location access without anyway to denying access and still use the app.
I was wondering if there's some way to make the app think it has location access? Maybe just feed it a bogus set of GPS coords?
I'm guessing there is, but I'm also guessing I need to at least be rooted, which i am not. I'm using a Note 10+ 5g with verizon, not rooted/stock rom.
I'd conside rooting the phone though if that's required.
Thanks

merkk said:
I recently picked up a dji osmo 3 - a stabilizer gimbal.
I do not know why, but the app demands location access. It will not allow you to use the app if you do not grant it. I even tried granting permission and then while using the app revoking permission - the app then prompts you again for location access without anyway to denying access and still use the app.
I was wondering if there's some way to make the app think it has location access? Maybe just feed it a bogus set of GPS coords?
I'm guessing there is, but I'm also guessing I need to at least be rooted, which i am not. I'm using a Note 10+ 5g with verizon, not rooted/stock rom.
I'd conside rooting the phone though if that's required.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you'll find that interesting.
For your original question I don't think it's possible, but check the link

merkk said:
I recently picked up a dji osmo 3 - a stabilizer gimbal.
I do not know why, but the app demands location access. It will not allow you to use the app if you do not grant it. I even tried granting permission and then while using the app revoking permission - the app then prompts you again for location access without anyway to denying access and still use the app.
I was wondering if there's some way to make the app think it has location access? Maybe just feed it a bogus set of GPS coords?
I'm guessing there is, but I'm also guessing I need to at least be rooted, which i am not. I'm using a Note 10+ 5g with verizon, not rooted/stock rom.
I'd conside rooting the phone though if that's required.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is commonly used on android, it is called "mock location".
There is more than one way or more than one app/tool that can be used. To find the method/app/tool that works best for you, do a google search for:
"Setup mock location on android"
Try the different methods that you find until one of them works for you.
As for rooting your device, if you got the device from Verizon, you probably won't be able to root the device because Verizon's devices all have locked bootloaders. The only way you would be able to root is if one of the universal rooting apps or rooting programs just happens to have an exploit that works on your device, but even that is a very slim chance because those kinds of apps and programs pretty much lost their effectiveness somewhere between android Marshmallow and Oreo.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk

Raiz said:
I think you'll find that interesting.
For your original question I don't think it's possible, but check the link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry - check which link?

merkk said:
I'm sorry - check which link?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Idk why and how it has been removed, here it is : https://www.wired.co.uk/article/x-privacy-android-app
Usually mods leave a note when a link is forbidden, but I'll advice you to follow the more complete answer from Droidriven.
Search for "mock location for Android" on google

Raiz said:
Idk why and how it has been removed, here it is : https://www.wired.co.uk/article/x-privacy-android-app
Usually mods leave a note when a link is forbidden, but I'll advice you to follow the more complete answer from Droidriven.
Search for "mock location for Android" on google
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, i'm doing that. Although so far using mock location seems to be an all or nothing approach - meaning EVERYTHING has a fake location or everything has the real location. I just want the one dji app to have fake data. Looks like the app you linked to is what i want, although it's outdated now. And requires root, which driodriven says I may not be able to do on my phone. I'll have to look into it further.
FYI, i found a link to an updated version of xprivacy - https://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/xprivacylua6-0-android-privacy-manager-t3730663 - i haven't found out yet if this new version requires the phone to be rooted...considering all it does i'd be surprised if it didn't.

merkk said:
Thanks, i'm doing that. Although so far using mock location seems to be an all or nothing approach - meaning EVERYTHING has a fake location or everything has the real location. I just want the one dji app to have fake data. Looks like the app you linked to is what i want, although it's outdated now. And requires root, which driodriven says I may not be able to do on my phone. I'll have to look into it further.
FYI, i found a link to an updated version of xprivacy - https://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/xprivacylua6-0-android-privacy-manager-t3730663 - i haven't found out yet if this new version requires the phone to be rooted...considering all it does i'd be surprised if it didn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure there is a way to make it apply to individual apps separately.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk

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?
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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