Comment by ignoramous

Comment by ignoramous 17 hours ago

8 replies

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Get a Pixel or a Motorola and install userdebug GrapheneOS / DivestOS / CalyxOS.

> running rooted Android because of systemwide adblocking, the ability to run things like Frida and inspect or modify applications

nb: Don't need root for any of that.

_heimdall 17 hours ago

I'm pretty sure you do need root to inspect and modify applications. APKs are in protected storage that is off limits to adb without root.

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  • alias_neo 17 hours ago

    Also, system-wide adblocking either has to be done off-device (no good for cellular networks) or with an on-device VPN, which is no good if you actually want to use a VPN of your own.

    Personally, I stopped rooting a few years ago and I don't see any ads with Firefox + uBlock Origin; I just don't use the type of apps that would show ads; not necessarily intentionally any more, just that the types of services I install apps for don't do it (making obvious exceptions for things like Amazon where the entire app is an Ad).

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    • mminer237 16 hours ago

      You can use an adblocking DNS on your cell network.

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      • alias_neo 16 hours ago

        Sure, but that's "off-device", so you either have to run it yourself (and pay-for-and-manage it) or rely on someone else to run one for you, which if you're into privacy on top of ad-blocking, you likely don't want.

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  • numpad0 16 hours ago

    adb pull /path/to/apk and adb install apk-1.apk don't require root.

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    • _heimdall 12 hours ago

      Yep that's fair. I was thinking you had to have root to install any modified apks but I could very well be wrong there, its been a while since I got that deep into modifying Android.

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