To combat cheaters, Pokémon GO checks Android data for “root” indications. However, this does not go without problems.
Pokémon GO has a new measure against Android users to exclude potential cheaters. The app looks for signs of “root” files at startup. If such files are found, the affected smartphone cannot be used to play. Whether cheats are installed or not does not matter.
Pokémon GO scans more than expected – Unauthorized device
A member of the XDA Developers Forum noticed that Pokémon GO exploits its permissions on the smartphone to look for signs that the device is rooted.
What is rooting? It is the process by which smartphone owners obtain root access for their Android device. Simplified, this means gaining unrestricted access to the device’s settings. This is not inherently wrong – many users seek this access. Other players use this access for cheats.
Important for cheats: Some cheat programs for Pokémon GO require root access for the Android device. That is why Niantic checks whether Pokémon GO players are using a rooted device.
Check updated: In update 115.2, Niantic changed the method by which they search for root systems. It appears that Pokémon GO searches the storage for the names of files and folders. Any file, zip folder, Titanium backups, folder, or APK file on your smartphone that is labeled “root”, “magisk”, or “xposed” could exclude you from the game.
And for that, Pokémon GO even searches the files on your SD card.
This has already been confirmed by many Reddit users. They created folders named magisk on their external SD card for testing and were subsequently excluded from the game. When they deleted the folders, they were able to return to the game.
Unauthorized device: Players for whom Pokémon GO has found suspicious files receive the error “unauthorized device” and cannot log in until these files are deleted.
This also excludes users who have rooted their Android smartphone but have not installed any cheats. A harsh blanket ban, indeed.
Affected users
On Reddit, user dmml writes: “I can’t believe that an empty “MagiskManager” folder in my storage was the reason I couldn’t play Pokémon GO.” He adds that his smartphone is not rooted. The empty folder was only still in the storage because he wanted to try it out earlier. After he deleted the folder, the game ran without issues again.
User NachoLGamer replied to the post: “I can confirm. Had no issues. Then I created an empty folder named MagiskManager and couldn’t log in anymore.”
Other users also confirm the thesis that even empty folders with “Magisk” in the name lead to exclusions from Pokémon GO.
This is what the community says
Divided opinion in the community: Players react differently to this new “snooping” method. One understands Niantic, which is increasingly looking for cheaters and wanting to provide other players with a fair environment.
Others find it audacious to simply lock out every root user, even if they do not have cheats installed.
There is consensus: The fact that a large amount of personal data is scanned without consent causes displeasure among a large part of the community.
What are your thoughts on this “search”? Have you had trouble logging in since the last update?
