Not only Netflix, other App Developers can also block Android from being rooted to download applications

Recently, some Android phone users cannot download the Netflix application after rooting their Android device. In addition, those who have a bootless bootloader on the phone cannot download and install the Netflix application from Google Play Store either.

The bootloader here can be interpreted as the boot device on the phone, it is programmed and preloaded ROM, executed before the operating system starts running and determines which features the user is using or is restricted. . Bootloader was created to prevent end users from arbitrarily interfering with the operating system (such as editing system files, adding preinstalled applications, .) or running non-genuine operating systems.

With Unlocked Bootloader, users can intervene deeply into the system, running the operating system not from the company. The device with the Unlocked Bootloader is quite similar to the rooted device.

1. Instructions on how to unroot Android devices

Strangely, the Netflix application continues to operate on the device that has rooted, but the device will not be able to download the application or receive more updates in the future. Netflix has confirmed that they have limited the availability of apps on rooted Android devices.

At the same time, Netflix also stated that they are using Widevine to block rooted Android devices, but Android Police has indicated, this statement is not really true because the application still works on the root device, just not found in Play Store search results. Turns out, what Netflix actually uses is the new Play Console functionality introduced by Google Play Store. This feature is part of a lot of things that Google recently announced, so Netflix didn't mention it publicly before.

Play Console identifies a new device category, part of the release manager, allowing developers to restrict the list of devices that can run applications. This feature examines devices with multiple attributes such as RAM, SoC, SafetyNet Attestation safety certification. If it does not, it will remove the device from finding and installing the application.

Developers can block certain Android devices from installing their apps based on Play Console. That is, do not let the application display or even not be able to install directly from Play Store on certain devices, including those already rooted on custom ROMs as well as on Android emulators. and non-certified devices.

It should be emphasized that SafetyNet only affects the device while searching for the application on Play Store, and if SafetyNet API is not fully in the application, users can get the APK file from another source, install and enjoy as normal. But no one will guarantee the security of those files.

With the latest function on Play Console, rooted Android devices are gradually unable to download apps from Play Store.