← Back to context

Comment by NewJazz

1 year ago

We don't need a non-android ecosystem. The compatibility is nice. The security features are nice.

What we need is more devices that allow unlocking the bootloader and rewriting the keys.

12 comments

NewJazz

Reply
bpye  1 year ago

Sadly that isn’t really enough today - since many applications will refuse to function if SafetyNet fails because you have some non-standard image running.

  • fensgrim  1 year ago

    There's likely a statement in Play Services ToS for vendors to do all things possible to prevent bootloader unlock/relock flow from happening - reasoning from the fact that yellow AVB state is non-existent outside Pixel devices. Maybe it goes as far as for SoC vendors, as well. So far, outside of Huawei, no top tier hardware vendor ever decided that denying Play functionality to their users would be profitable - also all Mediatek based devices are basically licensed by mediatek afair, so there's no chance of, say, Vivo/Realme suddenly deciding to ditch Play and do bootloader relocking.

    Also the possibility of postmarket devices running non-bloated OS is a loss for a vendor since it both reduces the appeal of whatever next "+1% cpu +1% battery" lineup update (and its a bad idea to sell 200k "good device model 1" rather than 100k "bad device model 1" and "bad device model 2", because PR/stocks/whatever) and increases the possibility of having users dissatisfied with the brand name because battery/flash degradation is still a thing.

  • NewJazz  1 year ago

    That's not a problem and not getting fixed by diverging farther than android. To date none of my apps have required that, including my banking app. Even so, loss of some financial apps is a small price compared to loss of social and dating apps, public transit and health apps, and more.

    iNaturalist publishes an open source android app to complement their very functional website, and honestly I would give up all of GNU for that one app.

    • Eavolution  1 year ago

      Maybe this is less of a thing outside the UK but the banking apps absolutely is a problem for me. I have banks that only have apps, no websites, or require the app for 3ds that will refuse to open with safetynet failing. It's not even just safetynet, at least one of them has it's own seperate tests to stop it working.

      This is the only reason for me (and presumably a fair few others) not to be using Lineage, I can do without google wallet etc but I can't do without access to my own bank accounts

      2 replies →