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Netflix Says No To Unlocked Android Smartphones (androidpolice.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Last week Netflix app started showing up as "incompatible" on the Play Store for rooted and unlocked Android devices. However, the app itself continued to work fine, leading some to think it could have been an accident. However, Netflix has now confirmed to blog AndroidPolice that blocking modified devices from downloading the app was intentional. This is the full statement: "With our latest 5.0 release, we now fully rely on the Widevine DRM provided by Google; therefore, many devices that are not Google-certified or have been altered will no longer work with our latest app and those users will no longer see the Netflix app in the Play Store."
Netflix works because it is easier than piracy. Ejecting the very small number of rooted android users won't stop people ripping Netflix content when you can still watch the movies on a computer...
... $9.99 more every month!
...surely you can make the Netflix app think it's on a walled-garden phone. You have root rights!
If Netflix wants to stay in good with the content providers, it needs to make these shows of strength. This affects such a small group that it's worth a few grumpy rooted phone owners just to show Hollywood they mean business.
The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
Yeah, because if I want to steal content, the FIRST device I think of for doing so is MY FUCKING PHONE.
Riiiight.
Never mind that a desktop (or even a laptop) PC is orders of magnitude more powerful and possesses FAR more options for absconding with the content...
Chas - The one, the only.
THANK GOD!!!
Barclays did the same thing by blocking rooted devices from running their banking software (crap bank, different story). Geniuses on XDA took care of that a long time ago and i'm pretty sure they'll do it again!
It doesn't, this is for people who completely replace the OS with cyanogen or some such. Summary is misleading.
Their support people didn't know this and they didn't list it in their requirements, but I'm guessing this is why I've never been able to download shows for offline viewing on my OnePlus One. Cyanogen is probably blocked from that functionality... I guess the Netflix app is pointless for me now because if I have WiFi, I'm watching on my laptop screen and I'm sure as hell not going to watch Netflix using mobile data.
Yes it's an anecdote! Were you expecting original research in a Slashdot comment?
Keep in mind that Netflix needs contracts with Hollywood studios to get the rights to movies. Undoubtedly they've been pressured into this by Hollywood. I suspect NF knows this is stupid, but what can they do?
"Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff."
they really believe people are going to use smartphones to rip shows?
they really believe people are going to use smartphones to rip shows?
Even if Netflix doesn't believe this, one or more publishers licensing motion pictures to Netflix is likely to believe this.
They didn't say unlocked, they said rooted and uncertified by google, meaning the devices ROM is potentially custom and not signed by google. You do understand what rooted means right?
"Also, will Netflix allows me to watch it on my "rooted" PC?"
Eep, cleary you don't. In unix land, the "administrator" is "root". To "root" a phone means you've likely flashed a custom bootloader onto the phone to allow you to have full ROOT access (read full administrator access). you can root a phone and still retain the google certified OS, but since the bootloader has been modified, you are no longer on a supported device as far as netflix is concerned.
This has nothing to do with a pc.
I though it was odd that suddenly Netflix disappeared from the play store. I just have a tablet running CM12, and had to download from apkmirror. This is a stupid move. I'll just watch more on Amazon.
if I have WiFi, I'm watching on my laptop screen
Do you carry your laptop everywhere you go? If not, you might be in a restaurant or whatever with Wi-Fi but no laptop. (If so, you're probably like me.)
and I'm sure as hell not going to watch Netflix using mobile data.
T-Mobile USA has a promotion called Binge On, which lets video stream providers apply at no charge to have their SD streams exempted from the cap. Amazon, YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Sling are among the participating video providers.
My mother-in-law doesn't care what device she uses, nor does she know the difference between iOS and Android. If you had to have a conversation about a "rooted" device it would probably be painful. Netflix major push is it's own created content and major TV shows and producers. The want control over their content. This is watched by everyone and available on smart tv's, roku, Xbox, iPads, etc. Netflix can piss off some people who are using their devices in more technical ways and it will never touch their bottom line. This move will though make those producing the content happier because they can control the content. You can't really argue with a good business move.
Sent from my TARDIS
Bye bye Netflix. Welcome back torrents.
Workaround:
1. Buy two Android devices.
2. Root one.
3. Install controller drivers on the rooted one.
4. Install Netflix app on the unrooted one.
It's like the Wii console: Nintendo didn't include DVD Video support because it figured that people who were about to buy a Wii already owned several DVD Video players.
"Hey guys, check out this sweet life hack. Want to run Netflix but also want to root? All you have to do is not root. Then you can run Netflix. Then you can buy another, separate item and root that. But it won't have mobile data unless you want to pay for a separate plan.
If my awesome hack is useful to you, please consider using the donate bottom to the right. Thanks!"
Will Hide My Root not work in this situation? I guess if it is looking at an unlocked bootloader it may not matter.
"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
Other workaround:
1. Unroot SU
2. Root with Magisk to hide status from Netflix app
3. ???
4. Profit!
"Wait. Something's happening. It's opening up! My God, it's full of apricots!"
Yeah, 'cuz we all want to carry TWO phones around because some idiot in hollywood thinks that this will have any affect at all on copyright infringement... yeah... sure...
I have a better idea. If they don't want to sell us the product, we can stop buying it.
Or install Netflix from a secondary source.
Anyone who rooted their android device, will know how to do that anyway. .apk instead of the offical package in the store.
The only thing they are archiving is forcing people to use a potentially harmful unverified
- Don't do what I do, it's probably not healthy nor safe. -
This is not carrier unlocking, but bootloader unlocking - IE not requireing a signed bootloader.
Silence is a state of mime.
The only thing this does is forcing rooted android users to install Netflix from unofficial installers.
If you can root your phone, you know how to install .apk packages without Google Play Store. They won't be able to find a verified package.
- Don't do what I do, it's probably not healthy nor safe. -
why would I want anything that would actually encourage me to watch MORE television and as a result, eat MORE crap, and get lest exercise?
Assuming you meant "less exercise", do you spend all your free time doing exercise? What about when it's raining or storming outside?
Not that I spend much time watching movies or TV (I don't have a TV, just my computer, which I sometimes watch Netflix on), but while I like cycling and hiking, I don't do those things if it's pouring rain or ridiculously hot or cold outside, and sometimes I like to just watch an episode of something in the evening before I go to sleep. I sure as hell am not going to go take a bike ride at 11PM.
I don't think this is targeting the small number of people with rooted Android phones; it's targeting the large (and growing) number of people who use Android-OS-based TV boxes running Kodi with unauthorized streaming plug-ins (a.k.a. "Kodi Boxes").
Support Right To Repair Legislation.
So, apparently those of us on developer edition phones are now not compatible with Netflix. Thanks for that.
I rooted my Android phone to fix the ANT+ modem that the vendor broke with a software update of their own but the community at XDA managed to get going on their releases.
It's like the Wii console: Nintendo didn't include DVD Video support because it figured that people who were about to buy a Wii already owned several DVD Video players.
I presume that Nintendo didn't include DVD support because it would have cost more and at least some percentage of Wii purchases were cost-driven.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Also, will Netflix allows me to watch it on my "rooted" PC?
Netflix doesn't have an app on PC and no, the answer you're looking for is no. They will not give you 4k content unless you follow very strict rules as to what software you use to log into their website.
Something I have first hand experience with - a family member got a cheap Android tablet and it came pre-rooted. This is very common. What will happen to all the people who have cheap tablets that come pre-rooted?
Cable cutters, vegans, and flat Earthers. Who needs them?
When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
What the hell is wrong with being alone with your own thoughts if you are eating alone.
Being alone with one's thoughts for 45 minutes until the next bus comes can become a waste of time, and the restaurant's dining room has better Wi-Fi reception than the bus hut.
Or more precisely, the projected cost-driven purchases by people who already owned a perfectly good DVD player exceeded the projected cost-driven purchases by people who wanted to avoid paying for both a DVD player and a game console.
Or more precisely, the projected cost-driven purchases by people who already owned a perfectly good DVD player exceeded the projected cost-driven purchases by people who wanted to avoid paying for both a DVD player and a game console.
I don't think that's how the math worked. I think it was "how much cheaper do we have to be than the competitors before we attract people who make final purchasing decisions based on price". DVD support would have required only minor changes to the optical drive to improve its longevity, and actually developing a DVD player app, and of course paying the licensing fees which I suspect was the single largest driver of the decision. If the competition had charged that much more (however much the amount at which Nintendo balked) they might have thrown it in simply to catch sales from those people who want a converged device. The Wii would have been one of the smallest DVD players on the market; its size actually compares favorably with the smaller end of the DVD player market today, and it certainly was competitive on that basis at the time.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
as long as it's ok to install on carrier unlocked phones they should not have to make it a big deal. More is better but under trump don't hope for more.
Thankfully even locked Android phones still support uTorrent, so you can kiss my ass goodbye, Netflix.
But more importantly, why would I want anything that would actually encourage me to watch MORE television and as a result, eat MORE crap, and get lest exercise?
TV causes eating? That's a new one on me. (Or do you mean watching commercials? But who does that?) I watch TV while I exercise - most of the stuff on Netflix is pretty vapid, but still more interesting than staring at the wall.
"Netflix original programming: slightly more interesting than watching paint dry."
Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
Wouldn't rooted folk just get the APK and load that way. I know less convenient then App Store but...... Or just not update at all?
This is a contender for most crack addled management pratfall ever.
When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
It sounds like my decision to ditch Netflix last year was a great one!
Thing is, SafertyNET doesn't stop your phone from being owned by a 3rd party, it only stops your phone from being owned by YOU.
I have a rooted phone, and my bank pops up a warning every time I open the app asking if I'm sure I want to perform such a dangerous operation as banking on a phone where I have root access. But the thing is, I would DEFINITELY not want to do that on a phone where I did NOT have root access, who knows what applications might be spying on me if I didn't have access to firewall them and monitor what the phone is doing?
Even worse is the ridiculous disconnect where you get banned from using these things on your phone, but their website doesn't bother you with the same warning when you open it on a computer that you have root access on!
I wonder if Magisk would work in this case? I highly doubt it. Magisk hasn't stopped any of my other apps from detecting root, why would this be any different?
So continues the fall of netflix
FTFY
Sure there is, it's called a web browser. Plus there is also a Windows Store application.
I know you're well intentioned and a crappy Android device might be not much to many people.
Yet I can't refrain from this.
What if you're toilet is completely clogged, all your toilets are unworkable but you need to take a dump?
Workaround :
1. Buy your neighbor's house.
2. Kick them out.
3. When you want to take a crap, go to your new house next door.
4. Keep using your original house for all other purposes.
I've been a Netflix customer for almost 10 years. If they block their app on my rooted device, our business relationship will have reached its conclusion.
A government is a body of people notably ungoverned - AC
If you own NFLX, now's about the time to get out. If they're willing to start picking and choosing who pays them money, it can't be long before they run their business into the ground.
A government is a body of people notably ungoverned - AC
This one is easy.
$50 bet: Netflix is planning to start introducing ads to their paying customers. Disabling the service on rooted devices is a measure to prevent people from blocking them.
A government is a body of people notably ungoverned - AC
Windows store applications are locked down and containerised and suffer from the same problem. Your computer needs to meet some very specific requirements to get full use of Netflix content, and my entire point was that NO you DON'T get a choice in your web browser or what goes on in the system. To get access to all Netflix has to offer you need to use a very specific browser, in a very specific OS, on a very specific Intel platform.
They are most definitely curating what you have access to on the PC.
I canceled my account, lowered my review and description, and sent a detailed message up the chain through their support about how it's a ad idea.
Why can I use Netflix on a privileged PC but not a rooted phone?
Not having updates on rooted devices through the play store will force users to download Netflix updates through untrusted sources which could be modified to steal credentials.
DRM has a history of not stopping piracy, just annoying users and reducing battery life.
I root my androids to do advanced mounting and linking of apps beyond what standard app2sd can do.
They lost me as a customer, but also they have not cared about a functional app on non-touch devices. I've been messaging them for a while about supporting play/pause with the space bar or multimedia keys on wireless USB keyboards and not forcing mouse use. There is a hack you can use, press left or right to move navigation forward and back, then pressing ok while the ui is up. It still is not user friendly, but allows quicker pausing.
I felt bad for Netflix after the leak and extortion with Orange is the New Black as they were one of the good guys. Now they are SCUM.
I'm not giving this school a DIME!
I should have cancelled them when they blocked me from using them from a VPN. They care more about geo-fencing content than user privacy. Especially in today's world where we learn that our fears of spying are true.
There is a fallacy at work here... I run Linux on my desktops and HTPCs: I have access to my root account. I have the official Chrome release with Widevine support. I can watch Netflix via the browser. How is this any different than having a Linux-based Android device, a root account, and a method for secure DRM? Especially given my desktop processor is greatly more powerful than my mobile's. If I wanted to break copy protection it would be easier via desktop than anything else. A workaround usually always comes though. And maybe Netflix will quietly nix that requirement. I haven't heard anything about VPNs lately, anybody know if it is still an issue?
Yes I could always spend even more money than getting it from other sources, cancelling netflix and paying even less money...
You also need to keep in mind you're comparing apples to oranges. I didn't complain that my android didn't support the device I wanted to use directly. I found away to access /my/ device that /I/ paid for therefore /own/ the hardware, and enabled a way to use it the way /I/ want.
Since it's /mine/ I should have the simple right to do that. Punishing me and disabling features for it is crap and we all know it, only corporate shills would invite that to be the norm and "like it".
Imagine if you purchased a wrench and used it to tighten a bolt that wasn't certified so they disabled your wrench so you couldn't use it anymore.
Sounds absolutely crazy, except that is exactly what they're doing with digital equipment, but people don't realize it fully as they don't fully understand technology (but do a wrench) and just let it slide. It's crap.
Get over it. You have access to most, probably 99% of Netflix in any browser. Altough you might need a plugin, I didn't check. And yes, you PC can be "rooted" (admin rights) and it still work, with both browser and windows application.
You'll be surprised to know that it doesn't change your risk level at all.
Banks will do everything they can to nail you to the cross either way.