The device is not certified by the Play Market, what to do. Adding a device to Google Play What to do if the android is not certified

Every Android smartphone with the Play Store pre-installed must be certified by Google. This is a long procedure that costs money, so some companies are looking for ways to get around it. But together with the bypass of certification, they bypass all Google requirements for device security, and we get a smartphone without the ability to enable encryption, with a vulnerable fingerprint sensor, inadequate anti-theft protection and root access out of the box.

The offer of devices running the Android operating system exceeds the imagination. Users can choose from hundreds of current models. The choice becomes even wider if you pay attention to exotic devices from China.

We have already written about Chinese smartphones many times; today's article is not about that or not quite about that. We will talk about the non-obvious thing that is on almost every smartphone running Android, but which no one ever thinks about - the certification of Google devices and firmware and what exactly its presence, and even more importantly, its absence gives the user.

Google Device Certification

As you know, the Android operating system is available in the form of source codes and is distributed completely free of charge. Any user, developer, manufacturer has the right to fully legally take advantage of Google's developments and build their own version of Android without a single cent of payment to Google or anyone else. Moreover, Google is ready to protect manufacturers from patent attacks, if any; this is particularly evident in the recent PAX cross-licensing of patents by major Android manufacturers.

Google's generous offer was used by countless manufacturers both in China (where Google services, as we recall, are prohibited) and beyond. However, "pure" Android is not quite what most users imagine. In "pure" Android there will be no such useful thing as Google services. They include far more than just the Play Store, which gives you access to a huge library of apps and content. In the end, there are a lot of app stores, and you can basically do without a store from Google. Google services also include such things as energy-efficient delivery of push notifications in real time, coordinate services and location history, as well as a powerful mapping application based on them, an effective cloud synchronization and backup system.

All these services are also available to manufacturers completely free of charge, but subject to certain conditions. In order to get the right to install Google applications on their devices, manufacturers must sign a MADA contract, which imposes a number of obligations on the manufacturer. In particular, the manufacturer undertakes to strictly follow the rules described in, as well as submit the final version of the device with the final firmware for certification to one of the Google laboratories.

At the same time, no one forces manufacturers to engage in certification. She is not engaged in the majority of Chinese manufacturers, who trade mainly within mainland China. In the Western world, the most famous example of using Android without Google services is Amazon, which sells Kindle Fire tablets and Amazon Fire TVs in huge quantities.

Certification costs money, albeit relatively small: about 10 thousand dollars for a model and even less for major firmware updates. Certification takes time. It may take even more time for the manufacturer to eliminate the defects and incompatibilities found at the certification stage.

How much Google certification can delay the release of a new firmware version can be seen from two examples. So, for Lenovo ZUK Z2 phones, Chinese (without Google services and certification) firmware based on Android 7.0 was released in February 2017, and certified for India is promised no earlier than the end of May. Another example is Xiaomi, whose “global” firmware is often released with a delay of about four months relative to their own Chinese assemblies.

In addition to the money and time spent on Google certification, manufacturers are forced to make other sacrifices. So, they have to ensure the proper level of device security in accordance with the requirements of the same Android Compatibility Definition Document. These requirements are tightened with the release of each new version of Android. For example, for Android 5.x, the use of a fingerprint sensor was not regulated in any way - but already for Android 6.0, quite clear requirements were applied to the implementation of biometric authentication. Another example is the encryption of the data partition, which has become mandatory for all manufacturers producing devices with Android 6.0 on board. Starting with Android 7, Google is also trying to regulate the appearance of the firmware, limiting the flight of designers' imagination (for example, manufacturers should now implement the notification curtain in a standard way, and not “like in the iPhone, only more beautiful”).

It goes without saying that certified devices must fully ensure the correct operation of Google services. I emphasize: all Google services, not just search and store.

Google certification in Chinese smartphones

For many Chinese manufacturers, Google's certification requirements seem like a burden. At the same time, they have to install Google services on devices that they officially sell outside of China: the user simply will not understand a device that does not have the usual Google Play store.

Manufacturers solve this problem in different ways. For example, Xiaomi has devices designed only for the domestic market. For such devices, firmware with Google services is never released; they are not certified. The company also has devices that are sold outside of China. For them, the so-called "global" firmware comes out, often with a long delay. This category of firmware is certified and officially includes Google services.

Lenovo does the same with its ZUK sub-brand. ZUK Z1 was sold both in China and around the world; two branches of firmware were available for him, Chinese and global. The ZUK Z2 model is officially available in China and India, and if purely Chinese firmware is offered for China, then a completely separate, certified firmware is being developed for the Indian market, which includes Google services and which does not have problems typical of the Chinese version (for example, with the arrival of notifications ).

LeEco does the same, developing firmware for the Chinese and foreign markets in parallel. If in the "international" versions of LeEco devices encryption of the data section is activated by default, and the operation of the fingerprint sensor is implemented in strict accordance with the Android Compatibility Definition Document, then in the "Chinese" firmware encryption is disabled, and the fingerprint sensor works haphazardly (fingerprint data is not encrypted and available immediately after a cold boot).

Now, a curious specimen has come into our laboratory: the Meizu Pro 6 smartphone, which is officially distributed in the Western market (we ordered our copy from Amazon, which, importantly, sells them on its own, and not through intermediaries). The device is running the latest global version of Flyme OS 5.2.4.0G, which is installed on phones for the international market.

Despite the fact that Meizu Pro 6 is sold in Russia and Europe, the phone does not have Google certification. There is no certification, but the Google Play store is. This alone interested us greatly, and we purchased a copy for testing.

Flyme Account

The author of the article is aware that you can also install the Chinese version of the firmware on the same Meizu, modify it with a file and get workable substitutes for Google services in the form of services tied to Flyme Account. But the purpose of the article is different. Our goal is to look at what is offered to ordinary users, as they say, “out of the box”.

Google is. Certification - no. What does this mean for the user?

So, the user buys a phone - for example, Meizu Pro 6. Google certification issues do not bother him, and should not. Moreover, the vast majority of users do not even think about the very fact of the existence of such certifications. Does the device work out of the box? Is there a Google Play Store? It seems that nothing more is needed.

Not really.

Consider the process of initial setup of a smartphone running Android. The standard activation wizard starts, which prompts you to select a language, asks you to connect to a Wi-Fi network, updates Google Services components, checks the status of Factory Reset Protection (we already wrote about this in the article ""), asks you to enter your Google Account information. If the device was reset “incorrectly”, without first unbinding from the Google account, then you must enter the data of the account that was used on the device as the main one immediately before the reset. Two-factor authentication, automatic restoration of settings, applications and data from a cloud backup - and after a while you have a phone in your hands that you can use.

What happens when we activate a Meizu phone? The Chinese company did not want to be certified, but it will also not be able to sell phones without Google services outside of China. As a result, the company came up with a way to deceive Google, and at the same time users.

So, when setting up Meizu Pro 6, we are greeted with something similar to the standard setup wizard. After choosing a language, a Wi-Fi password is requested, it is proposed to create a Meizu account. And... and that's it. The user is immediately taken to the desktop. But where is the app store? He is not. Instead, there is a Chinese application store (it could not be on the device if it were certified: the absence of alternative application sources is one of the MADA requirements). However, immediately there is an offer to download and install the Google services package. By agreeing to the offer, the user (and not Meizu at all!) Installs Google services on the phone on his own - just like he could do it in the case of any other Chinese device.

And now the user has the coveted Google Play icon on the desktop. It would seem that the problem is solved. After all, what difference does it make how the manufacturer installs the Google store on the phone, if it can be used? And here the fun begins.

Backups. Or not

Firstly, no one really tested the firmware for compatibility with Google services. No, the Chinese probably launched the Play Store and installed several applications from it, but there is no question of any systematic testing. As a result, in the very first minutes of using the phone, it became clear that the entire powerful cloud backup mechanism of Google Backup Transport was not working.

What does this mean in practice? It's just that one of the main advantages of Android 6.0 - automatic backup and automatic data recovery - is no longer available. (In brackets, we note that the second main advantage of Android 6.0, Doze mode, does not want to work in this phone either.)

Let's dwell on this in more detail. Users who have dozens and hundreds of applications installed on their phone (for example, I have 163 of them) will have to spend several hours installing applications from the store, and then many more - restoring their settings. All Wi-Fi passwords will need to be re-entered. Call data will not be restored, messages received on the previous device will not become available. If the phone is reset, everything will have to be installed and configured again, as it was in the days of Android 4.x (already in the fifth version, it became possible to restore the list of installed applications). And when it’s time to change your smartphone, on the new device you will also need to set everything up again. In our opinion, this is completely unacceptable. However, for some users this will not be a big disadvantage.

Instead of the standard backup mechanism, Meizu has provided its own, working within a single device. Data stored in the internal memory of the phone is backed up in a native format, which is created…in the internal memory of the phone. Perhaps we will not comment on the features of this approach to backup. In Chinese firmware versions, cloud backup is available, and it works the same way on devices running Flyme.

Data encryption

We decided to check if data encryption is enabled on the phone, as required by the Android Compatibility Definition Document. And they couldn’t: the “encryption” item is simply missing in the settings. Accordingly, a “regular” user will not receive any data protection at all: as you know, without encryption, experts extract data from a phone in a matter of minutes, and non-specialists after several hours of reading forums.

At the same time, the Android Compatibility Definition Document does not allow for double interpretations: devices that come with Android 6.0 on board and that meet the minimum performance requirements (and even state employees meet them) are required to fully encrypt the data section by the time the initial setup wizard finishes work. Alas, this is a failure.

For the sake of objectivity, we note that encryption is a basic feature of Android and it is not so easy to throw it away completely. So we managed to call the dialog that allows us to activate encryption using intent.

Even from the appearance of the screenshot, it is clear how far this feature is from being presented to users. We did not dare to activate encryption in this form.

Fingerprint Data Security

The Android Compatibility Definition Document for Android 6 clearly defines the security mechanisms that can be used for biometric fingerprint authentication. When you turn on the device, the data that the sensor uses must be encrypted until the phone is unlocked with a PIN, pattern, or password. Accordingly, after turning on or rebooting, the phone must first be unlocked with a password, and only then the fingerprint sensor is activated.

Unfortunately, the general approach of Chinese manufacturers to safety can be unequivocally expressed by the word "do not give a damn." The lack of Google certification allows you to invent the most sophisticated ways to bypass Android security systems, including the fingerprint authentication system.

In order for a phone to be certified by Google, the company requires that the specifications of the Android Compatibility Definition Document be strictly followed. Unlike the encryption requirements, which only apply to devices released with Android 6.0 on board, the fingerprint sensor requirements are the same for both devices released with Android 6.0 on board and those receiving Android 6.0 as an update. Weak, insecure solutions simply won't pass the certification.

What is Meizu doing? The device is not certified by Google, which means that you do not need to follow any requirements at all. The fingerprint sensor data is not encrypted or protected in any way, and you can unlock the phone with your fingerprint immediately after turning it on. However, in light of the global lack of data partition encryption, this is a petty prank, just another hole in the sieve.

Factory Reset Protection: Theft protection

Factory Reset Protection is an important mechanism that not only allows the user to lock stolen devices remotely, but is also able to prevent a thief from activating the device after a factory reset. Apple's implementation of this mechanism is the most perfect: in devices running iOS, bypassing the reset protection implemented through linking to an iCloud account can only be done by difficult intervention in the hardware. The very presence of such protection already significantly reduces the number of phone thefts.

Google also implemented a mechanism to protect against theft. If you reset your phone to factory settings, you will need to enter the password for the last account that was used on the device to activate it. Yes, this mechanism is imperfect, but it's better than nothing.

In the case of Meizu Pro 6 (at least its "global" version) there is not even such protection. Of all the items that could be related to Factory Reset Protection, we found only a cryptic option signed in broken English: "Verify phone number when change phones". And again: in Chinese firmware versions, Meizu offers its own, non-standard implementation of factory reset protection, as well as its own implementation of the Find My Device service, which allows you to remotely detect and block a stolen device.

About analogues of Google functions in Chinese firmware

Why do we always write about the absence of this or that possibility, if “around the corner”, in the Chinese firmware, there are their complete or almost complete analogues? Simply because we believe in standardization. It is convenient for us when all devices can be controlled from a single place. We are used to the fact that devices automatically save backups to the cloud and restoring them to any new smartphone (we emphasize - from any manufacturer, as long as it works with Android 6 or higher) will be a matter of half an hour - also in automatic mode. We are accustomed to data security, always turn on data encryption and get very upset when it is not. We are accustomed to the uninterrupted and without shamanistic dances of the work of notifications. Finally, we trust Google with our personal data and we know exactly under what conditions our data can be released at the request of government authorities - but we are not at all sure that we trust Chinese manufacturers and the Chinese government.

Welcome: root access out of the box

The icing on the cake is root access right out of the box. Perhaps at this point you can stop and stop analyzing the Meizu Pro 6 security system.

Google reaction

Meizu rolled out a trial balloon, trying to circumvent the rules of the game set in the Google smartphone market. It must be assumed that many Chinese manufacturers followed the developments with interest. What will Google do?

It would be naive to believe that Google will not notice an attempt to bypass MADA. There was a reaction at the end of last year. The Play Store has a subtle inscription that shows whether the device is certified to use Google services or not.

In the early days of its introduction, certification verification worked extremely poorly, with even Google's own Pixel devices often labeled as "uncertified." However, with a set of statistics, the situation began to improve rapidly, and at the moment, false positives and false negatives happen much less often than before.

What is Google going to do with this information? Nobody knows for sure. Maybe everything will be limited to a short inscription in the Google Play settings. Users may receive a notification when they set up their device that Google services are not guaranteed to work on this device. For most manufacturers, this is enough reason to think.

If attempts by Chinese companies to circumvent MADA become noticeable, we admit the possibility of more decisive steps on the part of Google - for example, a user may not be able to log into an account from an uncertified device; there will be no access to purchased applications, there will be no synchronization of mail, calendars and contacts. It is likely that users who encounter such errors on a new device will simply want to return it, which should cause direct damage to manufacturers and force them to finally certify their devices. It is hard to believe in the possibility of such a scenario - after all, users of custom firmware and assemblies will also be affected in this case - but everything will depend on how strongly Chinese manufacturers will seek to circumvent Google's agreements and how serious Google considers the threat.

Preliminary result

Let's summarize. What exactly is not in uncertified firmware and what should the user pay attention to? So:

• There is no possibility of data encryption (by the way, it is not available on Chinese versions of firmware for ZUK Z2).
• There is no backup to the Google cloud, nor the ability to restore data from there (and again - in Chinese firmware ZUK Z2 will be the same).
• Insecure implementation of the fingerprint sensor.
• Anti-theft protection by the Factory Reset Protection method from Google is not implemented (an ersatz from a manufacturer with an unknown degree of performance and reliability is possible).
• Problems receiving push notifications.
• But there is root access out of the box.

Of the advantages of non-certified firmware, one can note a higher (in theory) speed of release of such firmware: there will be no additional stage associated with certification. In practice, there is no Android 7.0 for Meizu Pro 6 yet.

Conclusion

Today we looked at some of the features of non-certified firmware, and we looked at them mainly from a security point of view. Questions about application compatibility, timely delivery of push notifications, and many other things that relate more to the usability of the device than to its security are beyond the scope of this article. Perhaps we will return to the description of the features of Chinese firmware, but we have already drawn the main conclusion: Chinese firmware is very different from Google-certified firmware, primarily in terms of security. The lack of encryption and even the ability to turn it on, the illiterate implementation of unlocking with a fingerprint sensor, inadequate protection against theft, the lack of a standard backup and restore mechanism, the presence of root access out of the box - these are the main "charms" of firmware that did not pass through the Google lab.

It's no secret that in order to use Google Play and other services from Google, you need to sign a MADA contract, which imposes certain obligations on the hardware manufacturer. For example, as part of this contract, you must submit your devices for certification and verification to Google-authorized laboratories, which can cost from 5 to 10 thousand dollars per device and take up to two weeks. For large manufacturers, this is not the money that affects the cost of the final device, but for small companies that produce one model with a circulation of 5-10 thousand pieces, they are noticeable and completely change the cost of the device. It's no joke when you have to throw a dollar on each device. And if its cost is 40-45 dollars, then it turns out to be noticeably more than 5%, the manufacturer's efficiency suffers. Therefore, factories in China have found several schemes according to which they add Google Play and related services without signing a direct contract with Google. This is a violation of the concept that was developed for Android, and a direct path to the fact that anything can appear on devices - viruses and trojans, malicious software, or just programs that noticeably degrade device performance. Also, the lack of a direct relationship between manufacturers and Google allows the first to release their devices on older versions of Android at a time when everyone who complies with MADA can no longer do so. Over the past year, an interesting situation has developed: those who already comply with MADA complain about those who do not, because, in their opinion, they get an advantage. Google promised to resolve this issue during 2017 and have already begun to implement their plans. The result will be a completely reshaped Android smartphone market, and the way Google does it is beautiful and simple, but will affect all of us.

Three Steps to Disabling Google Play - Certified Devices

Google has approached the fight against those who violate MADA and do not receive certificates for their smartphones or tablets, globally. The program affects the whole world, even if the specific timing of implementation in a particular country may differ. But they are about the same, and there are no differences in the steps that will be taken. At the first stage, with one of the Google Play Services updates, the “Certification” line appeared in the Play Market settings.

Just take a look at your device here to see how your smartphones are certified by Google. Open the Play Market, then the settings and see this line at the very bottom. Many B and C brands do not have such certification, and, to my sincere surprise, the same Meizu did not certify its devices.

The second step took place within the framework of MWC and a little earlier, when Google informed partners that they were going to “turn off” non-certified devices. Technically, this will be implemented very simply. When you first activate a smartphone or tablet from a company that has not certified the device, a pop-up message will appear stating that Google services, including the app store, are not guaranteed to work on this device. Then the download of applications from the Play Store will be disabled, that is, the buyer will either have to use an alternative application store, or install applications manually from the APK. Considering that these will be devices with a price comparable to smartphones of similar characteristics from other B / C brands, no one will need such torment, people will simply start taking them back to retail stores. Oddly enough, it is retail that will be under attack, it will begin to suffer first, as people will carry their smartphones back.

It is important to make a reservation that for all smartphones that are already activated and in the hands of people, a kind of amnesty is coming. No sanctions will be applied to them, people will not see restrictions. There is also a kind of grace period for manufacturers - everyone who signs MADA in the coming months, but does not have time to certify certain batches of devices, will be able to declare a range of IMEI numbers for which an exception will be made. Google is aware that the devices may be in retail and in warehouses, that is, there will be a small transition period. But to use this loophole for a long time will not work.

Google's strategy is very simple and clear: in every country in the world, they will force hardware manufacturers to sign MADA, to abide by the rules of the game. Theoretically, you can not do this, but then you will not have services from Google, that is, you will have to use an empty Android, which is not interesting. Also, in theory, you can try to sell smartphones without MADA and assume that users themselves will begin to solve their problems. But from my experience, this is possible with a striking difference in cost, and no one can achieve this, the maximum difference in price will be 5-15%, this is not the kind of money that will attract consumers and make them suffer a headache.

The main question is when this will start to happen. No one gives a clear answer, but they talk about the third quarter of 2017, or it will happen a little earlier. You can perceive the first shutdowns as a public spanking, it will become a kind of scandal, and indignant users will begin to hand over the newly purchased devices. Oddly enough, in Russia, both operators and retailers took this approach of Google positively, as they saw for themselves in this a decrease in the number of problems due to devices that have flaws. For example, a number of operators have experienced over the past month that smartphones from a number of C-brands send paid SMS to Africa, and users are complaining. They are compensated with this money, since the smartphones are bought in retail networks of operators and are sold by them, but the story itself looks like an endless one, it requires blocking these numbers at the operator level so as not to replace the smartphones themselves. A very big headache.

In retail, they say that they will simply add one more item when purchasing devices, the need for Google certification, which will give them confidence that there are no problems with the end buyer.

As you can see, big business approached this issue kindly and calmly, I expected more seething and discussions of this moment, but this did not happen.

Fast Pass Program - Manufacturer Certification Compensation

Google has come up with a way to solve a number of their problems and compensate manufacturers for the costs, starting from the second quarter of 2017, the Fast Pass program begins to work, this is a quick certification of devices that is paid not by the manufacturer, but by Google. At the moment, devices on the most popular chipsets from MediaTek participate in this program, that is, most of the budget smartphones on Android, the largest piece of the market. Qualcomm-powered devices will appear in the program at a later date, at the moment Qualcomm is not ready to bear partial costs for this program, so it is not. But I'm sure once Fast Pass is up and running and Qualcomm sees that it needs to invest in this program, they'll jump in quickly - Qualcomm's costs are low and the returns are high.

So, if your smartphone is built on a chipset that is described in the Fast Pass program, you have a contract with Google, then you send the device to one of the laboratories for certification. The certification period takes up to 10 days, often faster. All certification costs are covered by Google. In theory, this program will gradually spread to all devices and become the main one.

But there are several important points here - the manufacturer cannot use additional programs in his device, similar to Google search, email, Chrome browser and a number of others. That is, it turns out that it is necessary to use a smartphone only with GMS services, nothing else can be installed. The second point is that any smartphone that uses the shell does not fall into this program. In my opinion, this is done deliberately in order to attract manufacturers to use pure Android. Google recognizes that large manufacturers will continue to use their add-ons and skins for Android, but small companies, on the contrary, will focus on a clean system. At the same time, Google's task is to standardize the offer of small manufacturers, make it the same - in this approach, the task looks quite real and can be solved in the next couple of years. That is, it turns out that large manufacturers have their own shells, small companies have clean and at the same time well-functioning Android, the second is achieved by certification (it also imposes restrictions not only on software, but also on the hardware used by the manufacturer - that is, it sets the performance level) .

All these efforts on the part of Google look like a planned “clean-up”, the company is trying to put its relationship with iron manufacturers in order, remove difficult moments and make Android guaranteed to be productive on both expensive and cheap devices. And while it all looks like the approach will work.

It is clear that there will be scandals when newly purchased devices report that the Play Market and other applications from Google will not work for them. People who fall for such purchases will begin to massively return them to retail. This will affect cross-border trade and create confusion, as buyers will become afraid that a smartphone ordered from China will not work. In a word, we are in for a period of emotional statements, but in the end, what Google is doing is right - they are putting things in order in the budget Android segment, and not only there.

How do you feel about this Google approach? Will you miss smartphones in which Google Play was installed in the left ways?

Owners of smartphones from leading manufacturers can safely ignore this material. But for those who have purchased an inexpensive Chinese-made device, released not under a well-known brand, but under a little-known brand, it may turn out to be useful. Have you already encountered problems when trying to download an application from Google Play with a situation where the service does not start, and a message appears on the screen: “The device is not certified”? Then this article is just for you. In it, we will explain why this failure occurs, tell you what the lack of certification is fraught with, and suggest a safe way to solve the problem.

The reason for the problem with the launch of the Play Store and the appearance of the message "" lies in the desire of Google to protect its rights and provide users with a full and comfortable experience with services and applications. To this end, the corporation obliges manufacturers whose devices use software and services from Google to undergo certification. This process is available in a wide range of countries, and a network of laboratories has been created specifically for certification. Almost any manufacturer can get GMS (Google Mobile Services) on their smartphones. There are only three requirements:

1. The hardware specifications of the device must provide the minimum possible functionality included in the version of the Android OS used by Google.
2. The deadline for applying for certification for the selected version of the Android OS should not expire at the time of contacting the laboratory (a very reasonable requirement that stimulates the development of the platform and the expansion of device capabilities).
3. It is necessary to pay for certification (the amount ranges from 10 to 15 thousand US dollars for one model).

It is clear that for OEMs, the issue of the expediency of certification is not at all an issue - they calmly sign a MADA contract ( Mobile Application Distribution Agreement) and get the right to officially include Google services in the functionality of their smartphones. Unlike market leaders, small companies that produce their phones in circulations of 1000 units and survive on their affordability cannot afford such a luxury. After all, with an average retail price of $5, an extra dollar mark-up automatically throws the company's products out of competition. No less painful are the increased requirements for hardware. If we talk about smartphones with firmware from Chinese factories, then some of them use Google services unofficially, but soon the corporation will get to them.

Of course, in Google's desire to present its software in the most favorable light, there is also concern for users - about full-fledged functionality, performance and comfort. Those who buy uncertified smartphones are honestly warned on the corporation's website:

• These devices may not be safe.
• These devices may not be able to update apps and the Android system.
• They may have fake Google apps installed because Google has not licensed the manufacturer.
• Applications and system functions may not work properly.
• Your data may be backed up in an insecure manner.

Google has already informed partners that GMS will be blocked on non-certified devices. At the first activation of such a smartphone or tablet, a pop-up message will appear stating that the operation of Google services (including the Play Store) on this device is not guaranteed, after which the download of applications from the Play Store will be disabled. The buyer will only have to look for an alternative app store, or install apps manually via APK. However, the desire to save is sometimes stronger. And in this case, you should not be surprised if, when you try to download an application you like from Google Play, you will see an inscription on the screen: “ Device not certified»

How to solve the problem of downloading apps from Google Play on a non-certified device?

It is clear that Google has approached the fight against MADA violators and those who refuse to undergo certification of their smartphones and tablets globally. Soon this program will cover the whole world - it is only a matter of time and a specific region. So far, after one of the Google Play services updates, a new line has appeared in the Play Store settings " Certification". Fortunately, it is still possible to get around the bans.

A solution to the problem of downloading applications from Google Play on non-certified devices was nevertheless found. But before taking decisive action, users are encouraged to read the warnings:

1. First of all, you must be aware that using the method is risky - the device can turn into a brick forever or temporarily lose its functionality.
2. No one guarantees that the method will be effective in your case.

Weigh all the pros and cons and only then make an informed decision.

Requirements:

• The presence of root rights;
• Root Explorer file manager;
• build.prop files (stock and custom);
• Common sense.

Actions:

1. Replace the contents of the following lines from your build.prop file with lines from your custom build.prop (you can use the application BuildProp Editor):

2. Save;

3. Go to Settings -> Application Manager -> Google Play Store -> Erase data;

Google officially introduces the concept of "Certified Android device". Therefore, in the near future, on boxes, smartphones / tablets and some other equipment based on Android OS, a logo with the inscription "Google Play Protect" will appear. What this means and why it is required, we will find out in detail in this material.

Read also: Free Android OS price ».

The concept of certification

In simple terms, certification is the process of testing a device for compliance with the minimum requirements for the full operation of the Android OS. The check helps to determine the compatibility of hardware components and makes sure that the applications downloaded from Google Play work as expected.

Why certification is needed

Certification is one of the requirements of the signed agreement (MADA) between the manufacturer and the search giant for the use of the Google Play app store and related services. It is also a way to find flaws that can negatively affect the interaction between the owner and the device. And also oblige the manufacturer to use a modern version of the operating system and up-to-date components, which will reduce OS defragmentation and improve application optimization by developers.

What is Google Play Protect

The label on the box is Google's way of pointing out to users that the search giant has some requirements for electronics manufacturers. It is also a guarantee that the device has passed compatibility tests, meets Android security requirements and includes licensed Google services.

In addition to marking, certified devices include a set of protective measures aimed at additional security, as well as the identification of non-licensed applications and services. Non-certified devices will be forcibly denied access to the Google Play app store. Such harsh measures are the result of the activities of some companies, mainly Chinese, using the services of the search giant, bypassing certification.

The fact is that in order to certify one model, you need to pay an average of up to 10,000 USD. In a small batch, this leads to an increase in the cost of each device by an average of 5%, and the certification process often takes up to two weeks. If problems were identified, the manufacturer is obliged to fix the problems and re-certify for a fee. And so on until the device meets the requirements.

In order to save money, some manufacturers resort to adapting operating systems from other devices. Use Google services with incompatible parts. As a result, apps and software components don't work properly, which hurts the end user and degrades the image of the Android OS.

How to check for certification

To make sure that the device has been certified, you need to launch the Google Play program, in the application menu or by clicking on the shortcut on the desktop screen. Next, click on the button in the form of three long stripes, so that a hidden panel appears on the left side of the screen. Select the "settings" item and scroll to the very bottom, where the corresponding section is presented.

If there is no certification, these devices are not recommended for purchase. And it is better to return the purchased equipment, due to several reasons:

• Insecure storage of personal information.
• Lack of app and operating system updates.
• Google services are fake because the company has not issued a license to the manufacturer.
• Applications do not work or function incorrectly.
• Insecure backup process.

It is also worth noting that the process of blocking access to the Google Play app store only works on Android 7 and higher. Models with earlier OS versions will continue to work normally.

Conclusion

Google has developed an effective leverage against unscrupulous manufacturers that enjoy all the benefits of Google Play, but in every possible way avoid certification, which ultimately causes consumers to suffer. Therefore, restricting access to the application store is fair to companies that comply with the rules of the MADA agreement.