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I know what root is for and how to use it etc. but I'm always wondering why don't we get the key for root access for our android phones? Why won't they add an extra sheet to the box with the key so that it doesn't have to be hacked or make it possible to request it for advanced users?

If I bought a phone why can't I use it freely?

Can somone explain the rationale behind this?

Is it a legal matter or just you are too dumb to use your phones and we want to protect you from yourselves?.

On Stack Overflow I was told it's an opinion based question but how can it be opinion based? There must be a reason why they won't reveal the root keys. I'd like to know why they made this decision rather than what you think about it which then really be opinion based.

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  • Because shipping the device with the ability of user/program to switch to root or gain superuser privileges would make Android's security model a joke. See bullet points here static.googleusercontent.com/media/source.android.com/en//… Any device which doesn't meet the criteria in the document won't be considered Android compatible and hence Google would not provide GMS (Google apps) for that device. – Firelord♦ Dec 6 '15 at 4:25
  • "I was told it's an opinion based question but how can it be opinion based?" - they told you the truth. The first answer you received here is nothing more than an opinion, regardless of the ease with which it can convince. The guys there at SO knows such questions invite mostly opinions, backed by nothing. It is opinion based here too or that's what I think. – Firelord♦ Dec 6 '15 at 4:29
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Security - imagine someone got hands on bunch of those keys for root access. It would be your device that someone else freely controls. Someone connects remotely, takes all your data, makes a huge bill or just destroys your phone - and the OEMs say it's not their problem that you got hacked, this is not their device anymore. Imagine blaming the WiFi card manufacturer because you were hacked online.

Basic users - they don't want to think about or even know how to secure their device - they expect it to be secured by the OEM and that all is taken care of.

Profit - some devices cost less than or equal to their production cost (like PlayStation) and OEMs rely on purchases you do through their services to make the device itself profitable. By allowing you to easily remove all their services you deny them their expected income, otherwise we would pay double the money for todays devices.

Bussiness - there's a reason that bussinesses use highly secure devices, firewalls etc. A phone that comes with a key that bypasses it all won't really sell in those circles.

I don't want to say that I don't agree with you, and I would also love some easy way to root and use my device however I want it, but there are so many reasons why such a thing shouldn't be done.

If you want something like that, you can use an HTC or Sony device (you can request a bootloader unlock key) or you buy a development device, that is not for mass production, but for developers only, but of course, they cost way more and are harder to get.

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  • This sounds sensible. Thanks :-) I didn't think of it in those categories. – metalnoise Dec 5 '15 at 19:43
  • Sure, I will... Just waiting maybe some else comes by and perhaps presents other reasons ;) ... But I think you've said everything. – metalnoise Dec 5 '15 at 20:34
  • @Chapz don't forget all those "warranty issues" with people using their "root powers" without the appropriate knowledge. Manufacturers certainly want to protect themselves from that. Though they could deal with it using a similar approach to Samsungs "Knox Counter", having a switch to enable root with a warning like "warranty ends here". – Izzy♦ Dec 5 '15 at 21:20
  • This is pretty clear as pretty much any modification of anything voids the warranty. No questions asked. – Chapz Dec 5 '15 at 21:42

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