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Google Tightens Play Integrity API, Restricting Rooted Devices and Custom ROMs

Google

Business Honor
28 May, 2025

New default checks enhance app security but limit freedom for Android power users.

Google has released tougher requirements for its Play Integrity API this May, impacting millions of Android users—particularly those who root their devices or install custom ROMs. Unveiled at Google I/O 2025, the update imposes tighter app security checks by default on all developers without any additional action on their part.

Developers can make sure their program runs on a secure and unaltered Android device with the help of the Play Integrity API. This is crucial for preventing app misuse, such as viewing paid content without cost or safeguarding sensitive health and banking information.

Before this update, only the "strong" integrity check employed hardware-based security, which is more difficult to bypass. Now, Google has tightened all integrity levels—"basic," "device," and "strong"—through hardware-backed signals. Devices also need to have up-to-date security updates to pass the "strong" integrity check.

Although such changes are enhancing app security, they become issues for Android power users. Users who root their devices or install custom ROMs tend to unlock their bootloaders, which in turn makes their devices fail these new tests. Consequently, such apps as banking, gaming, and payment apps might not function as expected on such devices.

In the past, it was optional for developers to use the stricter checks. But today, Google has set these checks as a default for all people. This action is intended to secure Android apps, make them more private, and make them more difficult for attackers to target.

While these changes work to safeguard developers and users against fraud, they also restrict customization for tech-experienced Android users. As of May 2025, Google is implementing these updates across the board, officially marking a shift toward more secure Android app security.