I am a Tasker enthusiast and when I can automate something simple on my phone I like to. I set a simple task to turn off WiFi when my home network is not detected so my phone doesn’t scan and report my location to businesses. However, this functionality is now nonexistent and the developer has to ask people not to one-star their app because it doesn’t work. My phone is my phone and killing my ability to use it as such for whatever security theater Google is playing at is why I root my device. Anyone else still rooting for similar reasons?

7 points

TIL Tasker even worked without root lol.

Also, why do we even need tasker to do that? iOS allows you to do that with its Shortcuts app lol, this is a weird moment when Android is becoming more closed and iOS open (in system wide features).

Well, that is why I chuckle when people say there is no reason to root nowadays… Heck, not even banking apps will prevent me from rooting my phone, and my next android purchases are gonna be based in whether it can be rooted or not.

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5 points

Well, you need Tasker because that’s one of the Android equivalents of the Shortcuts app.

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3 points

Sure, but I meant, how is it that we don’t have a native tool for this (like Automator) or at least a system app from Google (like Shortcuts app).

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2 points

Fair, I was being cheeky. I don’t know if I trust Google anymore to make and maintain a good app or service.

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1 point

Samsung has Routines. Might be worth to check out of its possible to run it outside OneUI.

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5 points

iOS open

So open that you need an app to send a file over Bluetooth…

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2 points

Come on, you know what I meant, compare pre iOS 7 with whichever Android was at that time… You can see nowadays the release updates are switching and iOS is implementing more features (or features that it should have had since the beginning lol) and Android is closing down more (Google’s fault and no root ofc).

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6 points

It barely works for Android 14+ without root. Macrodroid has much better compatibility for whatever reason.

Unfortunately rooting while passing safetynet verification is very hard or impossible lately depending on the device. If apps didn’t unnecessarily check safetynet status this wouldn’t be a problem, but since so many now the rooted phone effectively becomes a brick. I really miss the days of custom ROMs and full device automation without stupid workarounds. Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s any going back without app developers getting on board with an alternative to Google-verified security on Android.

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2 points
*

MD has a companion app where you have to grant it special rights via adb (read/write secure settings). might also work for tasker

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1 point
*

Tasker has a similar companion app, it just doesn’t work with as many things on my Pixel 8 Pro as Macrodroid. The only phone automation I rely on anymore is Wifi hotspot toggling based on connected Bluetooth devices, which Tasker is incapable of now even with the companion app. I really don’t know how Macrodroid does it.

Of the automation apps my preferred UI Automate with its flows. It allows the complexity of Tasker without becoming unreadable as the automations become big. It’s harder to edit and even worse without root than Tasker.

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-8 points

You could just not use Google Android. Lineage OS all the way with no Google apps

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14 points

Security and Privacy are not the same thing.

Stock Google is absolutely a hit to ones privacy, but LineageOS is a often big hit to device security.

If you don’t have a Pixel, and therefore can’t use GrapheneOS, check and see if your device is compatible with DivestOS.

However, neither will offer root support for reasons that both devs have decent write-ups explaining within each project’s documentation.

I do realize that not everyone places security above all other factors when deciding on their smartphone OS, but I think they should be aware of the trade-offs so they can make an informed decision.

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-4 points

Lineage OS is in fact not terrible for security. Other than a unlocked boot loader I have not seen anything wrong with it.

As for Divest OS is has all the same issues as Graphene OS.

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4 points

Why do you keep stating blatantly false info as facts when it is obvious that you’re knowledge of the topic at hand is superficial at best?

In this comment thread alone you’ve stated that:

  • to avoid “Google Android”, one should use Lineage OS (?)
  • Apps on Lineage are some kind of separated on Lineage OS and not abandonware (??)
  • Lineage OS is not terrible for security, because you haven’t found anything wrong with it besides that small little, insignificant detail of an unlocked bootloader (???)
  • DivestOS has “all the same issues” as GrapheneOS(???)

Genuinely not trying to stir up shit, I’m curious. Why?

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10 points
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The inability to relock the bootloader is gigantic security vulnerability. It negates, or entirely voids, a significant amount of a devices physical security, including FDE.

There are other security issues with LineageOS, but that’s part of the trade-off. There’s nothing inherently sinister or incompetent about that, it’s just the nature of the beast.

Regardless, I’m not here to chastise anyone’s choice of OS, or to even imply that there is a right, and wrong ROM, there isn’t.

I was just pointing out that there are pros and cons, and users should be aware of them when making those decisions.

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36 points

Google has a disproportionate and overwhelming say in AOSP. What do you think Lineage OS is based on?

When Google makes API changes to Android, it hurts AOSP too. Can the devs try to maintain the legacy API on their own? Sure, but it’s extra effort, so it’s usually not something you can count on.

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-6 points

True, but there isn’t a lot of options. At least with Lineage OS the apps are all separate and not abandonware

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6 points

Both are based on AOSP, same issue there.

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6 points

Tasker is anti-libre software. We do not control it. It fails to include a libre software license text file, like AGPL.

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12 points

Serious question, what would be a recommended alternative?

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6 points

Not as powerful as Tasker, but for some basic automation tasks PhoneProfilesPlus is a good alternative.

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2 points

Wow that’s actually a great app. Thanks.

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2 points
*

Appreciate the response / information. I’ll check it out!!

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46 points

Tasker is the reason Android is so much better than iOS

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9 points

It requires Google play

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36 points
*

Tasker? It’s provided an alternative for several years, it is literally the only paid app I know which does this.

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9 points

Oh wow

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7 points

I know of FairEmail, Niagara Launcher, FolderSync and Symfonium (if you DM the dev) which offer alternate payment methods.

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36 points

I like being able to use my banking app. I do miss having proper control, though.

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7 points
3 points

Does that effectively hide root? Because the parent repo says it’s only “guaranteed” to work for Google apps.

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1 point

Shamiko does help hiding root with most apps.

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3 points

It’s not even just banking apps anymore. Tons of libraries just check by default before allowing apps using them to run. I can’t use my local transit agency’s app with root, not can I order a fast food burger.

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2 points

Yeah Micky D’s blocking root was enough reason for me to avoid installing it on my non-rooted phone for ages, because of the implication.

Did eventually cave though, saves me a few bucks once in a blue moon when I do go.

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15 points

Magisk zygisk won’t work for you?

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7 points

It’s been a while since I’ve rooted. I’ll look into it. Thanks for the direction.

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4 points

Didn’t when I tried when on LineageOS. I needed that bank app for work, so got a Pixel and switched to GrapheneOS. The bank app works, and it is useful to be able to on and off Google Maps (because of traffic routing and search, when compared to Organic Maps). But LineageOS worked better. GrapheneOS has more bugs and a small community.

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6 points

What is?

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11 points

If you root with Magisk you can still use the banking apps, at least i can.

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1 point

KernelSU looks like a better way nowadays.

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28 points

shoutout to USAA banking app that detected my root, but just showed a warning and allowed me to continue. that’s how it ahould be imho

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5 points

That’s pretty badass.

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26 points
*

Big fuck you to the Belgian govt who detected my developer settings being on and blocked their app from working…

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3 points

Meanwhile my latest phone I haven’t yet rooted but am running a custom ROM & the banking app crashes

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