Google cracks down on uncertified Android devices by blocking Google Services

[Sumen]

Last week, some users of Android phones reported that they were shown a message, blocking users out of using Google Apps. This was happening particularly to those who were using smartphones with unlocked bootloaders or running a custom ROM.

Today, Google has confirmed to Android Police the statement in which it acknowledged this practice.

Certified Android devices offer users consistent experiences when using apps from Google and the Play Store [… as well as Google Play Protect]. We acknowledge that some manufacturers are building and selling devices that have not been certified by Google.

This means that from now on, devices that are not certified with Google will be explicitly exempted from signing into Google Apps. In order to save them the hassle, some sketchy smartphone manufacturers either don’t adhere to Google’s hardware guidelines or simply would rather not go through the trouble of certifying devices for whatever reasons.

Cost isn’t one of these reasons, as getting hardware certified doesn’t cost manufacturers anything. Some of these manufactures might be more concerned about pumping out low-quality devices and would rather skip out on getting them certified.

This would include smartphones that are running custom ROMs, since they aren’t officially sanctioned by Google. Using a device with an unlocked bootloader might trip Google as well. In order to continue using a device with Google services that is running unofficial software, you will have to acknowledge that your device isn’t certified and Google will let you exempt your device by submitting a request with an IMEI number or the Google Services Framework ID from your phone.

Google will only allow you to use 100 exemptions per Google account, so it’s possible that factory resetting a custom or unofficial ROM will count against your 100 allowed exemptions.

The reason behind Google cracking down on unofficial devices or software is simple. Google wants devices that carry the Android name to consistently adhere to Google’s guidelines. It would also help consumers identify counterfeit smartphones or those that may pose a security threat.

Check out Android Police’s post in the below link for more specific details on how to exempt an “uncertified” device.

Source:https://www.gsmarena.com/google_cra...es_by_blocking_google_services-news-30301.php

Android Police link:https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/...-apps-uncertified-android-devices-heres-deal/

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

This is gonna hit the TV boxes hard, flood of posts incoming...

 

[Magnum]

This is gonna hit the TV boxes hard, flood of posts incoming...

My internet is still too slow to really stream HD. I'm still on the Torrent and watch later bandwagon...

 

[Lupus]

So Apple of them. How about putting your foot down and getting OEMs to at least update the phone. Even if its just security updates as a lot of custom roms are run on older devices.
This will also cut back on there still being devices out there running 5 year old OS

 

[Lupus]

Actually here's a plan. All OEMS vanilla Android, no questions. That way it's easy to update and they've got no excuses, you want a different launcher, you go to the app store and you download it. Like if you've got a Samsung you can get Touchwiz for free and if you've got a Huawei and you prefer touchwiz you pay R100. That way the OS is separated from the launcher and the manufacturer can focus on sorting out their launcher instead of trying to tie it into the OS.

 

[backstreetboy]

So Apple of them. How about putting your foot down and getting OEMs to at least update the phone. Even if its just security updates as a lot of custom roms are run on older devices.
This will also cut back on there still being devices out there running 5 year old OS

All phones shipping with Oreo fixes it already with Project Treble.

 

[Spliffcat]

Custom rom.
Get rid of every Goofoo app.
Sideload apk's.
No worries.
No spam.
No Goofoo spam or data collection.
No bloatware.

 

[Lupus]

All phones shipping with Oreo fixes it already with Project Treble.

Yeah but only about 2% of devices have Oreo, so there is a problem

 

[TelkomUseless]

This is gonna hit the TV boxes hard, flood of posts incoming...

As long as my Kodi works, (and DSTV App side loaded keeps working) I don't give a poop.

 

[reactor_sa]

My internet is still too slow to really stream HD. I'm still on the Torrent and watch later bandwagon...

My favourite bandwagon, most consistent user experience (as Google says), especially for the HD.

For custom ROM testing etc I recommend creating a new Google account for said purpose.

 

[reactor_sa]

As long as my Kodi works, (and DSTV App side loaded keeps working) I don't give a poop.

I think this will be the general response from Android box users. Won't change anything in that landscape (except the poor souls still hanging onto monochoice apps)