There are many users who use root permissions on their Android device, because they like to customize it to the maximum or because they need certain permissions to use mods or applications. Google is not willing to make getting root rights child's play and has released a
SafetyNet update that could spell the end of root
.
The truth is that
root is something Google does not like, in fact it has been fighting against it constantly, making it increasingly difficult
. The reason for this incessant struggle is, according to Google's own words, that it poses a serious security risk.
What is SafetyNet?
When we talk about SafetyNet, we refer to
an API that is able to detect when an Android device runs an application with root permissions
. Developers have access to the SafetyNet API and can use it in their applications.
For example, in Pokémon Go for Android, Niantic released an update that already uses the new SafetyNet API and now it is practically impossible to play Pokémon Go as root. This way they avoid cheating players, but ... What happens with users who are root with other objectives than cheating?
The SafetyNet update could mean the end of root.
Until now it was possible to hide the root permissions using
Magisk
, thus bypassing the SafetyNet protection. In fact there have been several occasions that after being blocked Magisk, its developers have once again overcome the protection mechanisms of SafetyNet.
It seems that this pulse has come to an end, we only have a glimmer of hope in a modified version of SuperSU that has been published by a user of
XDA-developers
.
If you decide to use the previous method,
warn that it is a proof of concept and it works, but there are also users saying that it does not work for them
.
Follow the instructions to the letter and with great caution.
There are many developers who have expressed their opinion about it and consider the
battle of the root for lost
. From Google they say that in our Android phones and tablets there are applications that give access to our bank accounts and that root permissions only put our security at risk.
Now it is the user who must assess whether it is worthwhile to continue using the root or not.