How easy is it for apps to detect root? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

And more importantly, is there any way (other than un-rooting, of course) to trick an app into believing that my device is not rooted?

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Some programs will not function correctly if they do not have Superuser permissions.
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[Q] install apk as system app

Is there a way to install an apk as a system app? I want to 'unroot' a device but still run an app that requires root access. I'm unsure of how this can be done, any advise would be very much appreciated!
Thanks
I know that the Z4 root app has an option for temp root functions which goes back to an unrooted state once you reboot.
My guess is that you can run that, place your apk in the appropriate system folder, install the apk from there & then reboot.
But again I'm not to sure if temp root functions work on our G-Tabs & if it does if it's as simple as I explained. Worth a try I guess.
Again I'm assuming that your not already in a permanent root state. If so then you'll have to unroot completely first & then try what I mentioned above.
Unless someone has an easier method?
convert user apps to system apps
nikt said:
Is there a way to install an apk as a system app? I want to 'unroot' a device but still run an app that requires root access. I'm unsure of how this can be done, any advise would be very much appreciated!
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium Backup Pro (paid version 3.8.1 and higher) has a function that allows one to convert user apps-->system apps (as well as system app-->user app ... though this sometimes causes initial FCs, which generally disappear with reboot).
Not sure if the effect will remain after unrooting.
Just to clear up a bit, not because an app its on /system it will have root access. If you want to run an app that needs root, you need root, thats it. You cant unroot and use the app after that.
So, no you cant do that. Its 2 different things installing an app on /system than having root for an app.
pmcnano said:
Just to clear up a bit, not because an app its on /system it will have root access. If you want to run an app that needs root, you need root, thats it. You cant unroot and use the app after that.
So, no you cant do that. Its 2 different things installing an app on /system than having root for an app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So then how do proprietary apps like Sprint Nascar (as an example) run on an unrooted phone?
Why would Sprint Nascar need root permision?
pmcnano said:
Why would Sprint Nascar need root permision?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It probably doesn't or it might I have no idea. The op never pointed out which apps he wants to use.
However & this is a big however, as I have no idea which apps require root access, one has to assume that any of the preinstalled apps that come on our G-Tabs do in fact need root access, yet they can run on an unrooted device. Again I could be wrong.
That being said, how does one go about determining which apps require root access?
Thanks for the replies guys. The issue is supporting proxy servers on unrooted devices. There are several proxy apps that require root access as well as a kernel that supports proxy. If the proxy app were installed as a system app, would this have enough rights to access the kernel as required? I don't know enough about this but was led to believe this might work if it was running as system. Same for apps that use CIFS, like mount manager. I guess I'll give it a try and see what happens...!
Like I said, being installed on System doesnt have anything to do with having root or not.
Im 95% sure about what I am saying.
edit: I confirmed it..so 100% sure, if the app needs root, you will need root no matter where the app is installed.

VillianRom 2.4.2 - unroot?

Once I have VillainRom installed, can i remove ROOT access?
What stpes would i need to take to remove root access, or will i still need it for updates? Is it possible to be able to toggle between root and not root?
yes, you can remove root access, just use superone click to remove.
No you cannot toggle between the 2 of them because rooted reaches to every part of your phone.
I'll give that a go.
Thanks
Why would you want to remove root access?
Uninstall superuser. You'll still be rooted, but apps won't be able to actually get root access.

[Q] ADB root access on unrooted device?

I have an UTOK 700Q tablet running android 4.2.2 and the manufacturer has made an update to the firmware that requires a full wipe but i want to backup some apps before that.
I've found a way to do a full backup on android via adb on an unrooted device, but is a bit tedious (currently in progress) and while doing it i've noticed that adb has root access:
Now this made me wonder if i can just install titanium backup from adb with root permissions as a system app (or something, not really sure if it's correct, but i hope you understand what i want) so i can backup my apps easier from there.
Also, as a side note, using root checker i see that busybox and su are installed but no SuperUser is found, what does this really mean?
From what I have seen, some manufacturers root the device from beginning (in case of tablets). This might be the case with Your tablet too.
Could be something, but if i install titanium backup (or any app that requires root) it says it couldn't find root, I'm guessing it needs the SuperUser app too, but just installing from market doesn't work.
dany123i said:
Could be something, but if i install titanium backup (or any app that requires root) it says it couldn't find root, I'm guessing it needs the SuperUser app too, but just installing from market doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go root with VROOT http://www.mgyun.com/en/getvroot ,goes well.
and if you look a room at EKKO ( http://ekkoworld.com/product/ekko-quad-2/ ) more stable, moving fluently.http://we.tl/KohrL0fFfI
Cateva teste.....

[Q] Can Malware install silently if I have SU installed?

One thing that I keep reading about android malware, is that it needs to gain root access to do its dirty work.
My android phone is already rooted and I have SuperUser (SU) installed. And whenever an app runs that needs root access (such as titanium backup), SU asks me if I want to grant root to that app.
So, my question is this - can I rest assured that I won't get infected because if for some reason malware makes it into my phone (through one of the many exploits like the MMS/Stagefright thing), I will see it try to run because SU will ask me for permission, and I can simple deny it?
Yes, Lookout security recently discovered a malware that does the exact thing you mentioned.
http://www.xda-developers.com/looko...ed-adware-that-secretly-acquires-root-access/

Desperate need to remove Kingroot - - - HELP !

Guyz,
On my backup phone, i was messing around and installed kingroot... a total malware.
Then, i formatted by phone and still kingroot is there. Tries deleting from kingroot settings but cant.
Plz inform how the hell shall i completely remove this sh*t?
Not an advanced user hence wont be able to understand complicated removal procedures.
PS: Using Samsung Note 3 Neo ​
Breadwhatwhat
If your device has root access, you can remove King root with other applications or from the King root settings. Uninstall the application with link2sd. If you can not delete the application, you will have to install the stock rom.
CriCroCra said:
If your device has root access, you can remove King root with other applications or from the King root settings. Uninstall the application with link2sd. If you can not delete the application, you will have to install the stock rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks , but after three dots -> i have option to uninstall OR convert to user app.
Under both i get the same error:
"Link2SD could not obtain root access.
Maybe as i formatted my phone, i am no longer rooted and hence the error.
Also, i tried disabling Kingroot from phones builtin "Applications manager" and yes it seems disappeared from my App list on phone, Is it safe to say its no longer working on my phone even in background ?
craige said:
Also, i tried disabling Kingroot from phones builtin "Applications manager" and yes it seems disappeared from my App list on phone, Is it safe to say its no longer working on my phone even in background ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The application that you deactivated will not run again, but if it really was malware, it probably installed other malware applications. I recommend you to do a complete analysis with several antivirus programs starting with Dr. Web.

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