Now, the latest Android 5.0 out in the wild, and many are quite eager to have a taste on their device. Party, the Android community that might not be so excited to have a taste of the sweet Lollipop are them power users who live and thrive with rooted smartphones and tablets. This is because of the reason that in the attempt to make the Android platform more secure, the Android developers may have, unintentionally or not, have the left root devs and users out in the cold, an issue that SuperSU developer Chainfire tries to explain in more detail.
The situation with rooting in Android isn't absolutely crystal clear. It is natural and laudable and obvious that Android developers strive hard to make the mobile platform as secure as possible as they could, plugging up holes in the process. But it is also understandable and reasonable enough that some users would want certain functionality and access that Google isn't willing to hand over and render, despite the platform's Linux and open source roots. Android rooting is the solution for most issues that really needs tweaking for a more functionality and enhance overall performance, but achieving root on a device is practically the same as exploiting security holes in the system, holes that are getting fewer and fewer as Android's security is gradually improved.
The situation with rooting in Android isn't absolutely crystal clear. It is natural and laudable and obvious that Android developers strive hard to make the mobile platform as secure as possible as they could, plugging up holes in the process. But it is also understandable and reasonable enough that some users would want certain functionality and access that Google isn't willing to hand over and render, despite the platform's Linux and open source roots. Android rooting is the solution for most issues that really needs tweaking for a more functionality and enhance overall performance, but achieving root on a device is practically the same as exploiting security holes in the system, holes that are getting fewer and fewer as Android's security is gradually improved.
Many developers are keeping track such as Chainfire who have been monitoring the progress of Android 5.0 Lollipop, at least its incarnation in the AOSP source code, have been quite aware of the changes that will step on the rooting territory and practically break things which are basically part of rooting process. On the other hand, the good news is that Chainfire is definitely optimistic that rooting in Android Lollipop will still be possible, but it is getting to be quite more tricky, risky, and difficult to do so and in some cases, it might become even more of a super power user activity even more than it is today, cutting off a lot of potential new root users. To be more visible and as proofs as well, Chainfire has released two quick band aid fixes for the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 that runs on the latest LPX13D developer preview. This would unbreak rooted state on those devices, however the installation method is quite different, using fastboot images instead of the usual CWM/TWRP recovery images.
Clearly, the future of rooting on Android 5.0 isn't something set in stone yet and but it's mor than just hope, and it depends on how much of the security changes, particularly in SELinux, which will make it to the final version of Lollipop, which has still to be released in the public. Additionally, Chainfire also has his own personal vision for rooting on Android. Different from others and what some would presume, the developer doesn't advocate throwing out the baby with the water in terms of security. While there is currently no way to get root without exploiting security holes yet (hopefully someday it would come to happen, rooting without exploiting), Chainfire also doesn't advise turning off all other security features, like turning all of SELinux into permissive mode, instead he wants to use just enough permissions as necessary without going overboard, quite a balancing feat and definitely a noble goal. Hopefully Google will be more open and appreciative and appreciate the gesture enough to meet root developers half way and help find a compromise that will benefit everyone in the Android community.
Clearly, the future of rooting on Android 5.0 isn't something set in stone yet and but it's mor than just hope, and it depends on how much of the security changes, particularly in SELinux, which will make it to the final version of Lollipop, which has still to be released in the public. Additionally, Chainfire also has his own personal vision for rooting on Android. Different from others and what some would presume, the developer doesn't advocate throwing out the baby with the water in terms of security. While there is currently no way to get root without exploiting security holes yet (hopefully someday it would come to happen, rooting without exploiting), Chainfire also doesn't advise turning off all other security features, like turning all of SELinux into permissive mode, instead he wants to use just enough permissions as necessary without going overboard, quite a balancing feat and definitely a noble goal. Hopefully Google will be more open and appreciative and appreciate the gesture enough to meet root developers half way and help find a compromise that will benefit everyone in the Android community.