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John Wu
@topjohnwu
I've seen so many people talking about "freedom" when talking about root detection. I do not think the fundamental problem here is a freedom issue. As stated in this previous tweet, Google's Pixel offerings are IMO the most "free" Android devices out there.
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John Wu
@topjohnwu
You can replace the kernel. You can compile your own Android OS. On Pixels, you can even sign the images and have verified boot enforced. You can install F-Droid and only run FOSS apps. You actually DO have the freedom to run almost all software with something you can control.
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John Wu
@topjohnwu
On the Pixel 6, the TEE OS is open source, although it's still not user replaceable *yet*. I know there are people trying to make this a reality, although I have no idea about the progress and whether this is even feasible or not.
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John Wu
@topjohnwu
But even if you can replace everything, including TEE, the Android platform will still provide mechanisms to allow apps to know what software they are running on. And as long as apps expect to run on "Google Certified" systems, you still won't escape the "root detection" issue
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@qpjafj2ugxjowgs
Replying to
@topjohnwu
same opinion. Android should provide trusted environment. but, large companies should not abuse it, unlike what they are now. and AOSP should not be Google dependent THAT much. they are taking controls away from user. revoking user access from ~/Android was huge mistake.
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@qpjafj2ugxjowgs
Replying to
@qpjafj2ugxjowgs
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@topjohnwu
Android and Google is now treating user defined environment 'insecure'. bare APK installation is described 'dangerous' even if there is no GApps. ZipSigner lib has removed long ago, so Play Protect marks debuggable apps as danger.
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@qpjafj2ugxjowgs
Replying to
@qpjafj2ugxjowgs
and
@topjohnwu
while installation from Google Play has improved, there is no secure way for alternatives. managing apps are not possible in modern Android because of forced scoped storage. you will know there is no way to solve these without root.
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Daniel Micay
@DanielMicay
Replying to
@DanielMicay
@qpjafj2ugxjowgs
and
@topjohnwu
Scoped storage means that apps no longer have the ability to request complete access to user files. The user has access via the system file manager and can grant access to those files/directories when apps open up the system file manager UI for it. It's not relevant to this.
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Daniel Micay
@DanielMicay
Replying to
@DanielMicay
@qpjafj2ugxjowgs
and
@topjohnwu
An app store client can download and install apps as always. Android 12 adds the ability for non-privileged apps to perform unattended updates of modern apps they've installed. Support for alternate app stores got much better and scoped storage didn't negatively impact it at all.
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