Android Pay confirmed to not work with rooted devices

As Google wraps up rolling out updates to their Google Wallet application to transition to their new Android Pay platform, some power users are discovering an unpleasant surprise. Android Pay does not work with devices that have been rooted. This means users who have installed custom ROMs or perhaps other apps that required root access cannot make use of the mobile payment service. In response to comments that users who root their devices are some of the most ardent Android fans and could help build momentum for Android Pay, a Google staff member took to the XDA forums to discuss the security model and why Android Pay will only work on non-rooted devices.

According to the information provided, one of the key steps the Android developers took in preparing Android Pay was to rely on the SafetyNet API. This means an Android device has to pass a compatibility test that includes a check for the security model included via the SafetyNet API. It was also explained that Android Pay creates tokens for card information and only this token is passed to merchants when purchases are made. This differs from the Google Wallet model where every payment transaction was authorized at the time of purchase. The bottom line is Google does not believe they have a good way to accurately assess the security measures included in individual developer devices like those that are rooted.

Google says they will continue to listen to the community with regard to this issue and they seem to recognize the hardship it is creating. They have not ruled out coming up with some solution, but for now only non-rooted devices will be able to use Android Pay.

source: XDA Forum

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