Background
Rooting disables OEM updates and makes your device unofficial, so you will probably still be able to sideload apps. Depending on how this shitstorm turns out though, and if there will ever be a need for it, I would love to help people to root their smartphones. There are of course a lot of online guides and videos on how to do it already, covering various devices and methods, so another idea is to collaborate on a wiki that aggregates and documents all rootable smartphones and the methods that work.
Rooting services
We could open up a chatroom on Signal or any other platform that enables voice and/or video chat. People could also send their smartphones to another person that roots it.
The wiki
I could host something fresh from my desktop or create a community on some fedi instance. The wiki would aggregate preexisting information but also be open for continuous updates by the community.
Question
What does the community think of such an idea? I’m just spitballing here, trying to add something to the opposition.
You must log in or # to comment.
a repository of files would be very usedul as opposed to dead links to mediafire, xda, and in closed telegram chats. smaller stuff like root binaries and exploits?
Yeah! Some of those communities require registration and the general climate can be quite hostile towards tech illiterate people. I’d love to see a forum and a wiki that’s inviting to all.
Honestly if you’re going to use Android just use GrapheneOS
Do commercial apps work on such an installation? I have seen them get worse, checking for non-rooted, non-developer-mode-enabled, Google Play Store enabled, etc.
Yes they do
They do, and very well (unless you want to open an account in N26, though Revolut works great).
What phones are running Graphene?
google pixels, and I think they’ll extend its compatibility to motorola
I don’t really want to give Google money because of this. They’ve been doing what a lot of corporations do, use open source as a cheat for good will and then change the license.
Geez, everytime this point! Don’t you guys have a second hand market? My daily driver is a Pixel 6a with GOS and all apps but one (for which I have a substitute anyway) work perfectly.
or stuff it all inside play services, which is proprietary.
Some phones are straightforwardly rootable, some want you to download a suspicious binary from a file sharing site, and some are difficult. Maybe the best thing is post instructions for as many phones as possible.
That’s right! At the very least, maybe one could open a “repo” or a wiki that
collectsdocuments all rootable Android phones and which rooting method works and to what extent. As a long term project, of course.
deleted by creator
Security is relative to your threat model. Also, this is a degoogle community, not a security community.
tough luck, it’s what we have.
@emotional_soup_88 Glad that you are trying to do something about it.
I mean, it feels kinda silly when I reread my post, but I’m genuine about wanting to rebel against big tech monopolies.
@emotional_soup_88 yeah man, I’m not a tech literate, so people like me will definitely appreciate your help. But I’m planning on trying my luck if I can find a good deal for a used Pixel.
That’s great! A year ago when I last rooted a Pixel, the bootloader was still unlockable, as the terminology goes. If you do not intend to try out GrapheneOS but use the preinstalled OS, I do recommend rooting it for future consistent freedom.
@emotional_soup_88 the plan is to try out GrapheneOS and see how it will be for me and while I’d love to remove Meta and Google (and most big tech) from my life immediately. There’s unfortunately a lot of information I need that will determine my career. Ugh, I hate how reliant we all became on some services.
Simplest approach I found is GrapheneOS as your main device, and using a second Android or iPhone for commercial apps that don’t work. And keep the second phone off majority of the time when the apps aren’t needed.
There is definitely a mental/psychological aspect that needs to be taken into consideration. For starters, we have to encourage and be kind to each other and to ourselves. Any and all steps away from big tech and monopolies is a small victory and should be encouraged.
People crying over Google copying Apple once again. What else? :D
Thanks for your input
