One of the things that makes Android great is its open nature. Any organization or individual can take the open source code of Android and put it into their own hardware.
However, things don't always go smoothly. That Android device may be "uncertified" by Google and lose access to some features. So what does this actually mean?
What is an “Uncertified” Android Device?
Android's flexibility allows each developer to create their own custom versions. However, as the owner of the source code, Google wants to ensure a level of consistency between custom versions of Android, both in terms of functionality and security.
Google has a list of requirements called the Compatibility Definition Document (CDD). It contains the requirements that an Android customization must meet in order for a device to pass the Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) and be certified by Google itself.
What happens to an uncertified device?
In reality, it's pretty rare for an Android device to be uncertified. The most common scenario that leads to an uncertified device is rooting or a custom ROM. If you happen to own an uncertified device, there are a few things you should know.
Since March 2018, Google has implemented a new policy that allows its apps to only work with certified devices. This means that if your device is not certified, you will not be able to use any Google apps. Even if you have successfully downloaded these apps onto your Android phone, it will display a notification and not allow you to use the app. In other words, users can still set up and use the phone, but they cannot access the Google Play Store.
Additionally, Google cannot guarantee that the device is secure. These devices may not receive regular updates, which are extremely important.
Without Play Protect, there's no certification that the Google apps on your device are real Google apps. Apps and features may also not work properly.
If your device somehow still has Google apps pre-installed, Google may automatically disable them. For example, as of March 2021, the Google Messages app will not work on uncertified devices.
In short, certification is done to ensure that devices running apps follow Google’s general guidelines. Usually this certification is done by manufacturers when they flash a ROM on a device in the factory. But if you have installed a custom ROM (like Lineage OS) on your device, it probably won’t be Google certified. But how do you know if your device is certified? Here are the steps to do it.
How to check if your Android phone is Google certified
As mentioned, the vast majority of Android users don’t need to worry about their device being “uncertified.” In fact, if your device has the Google Play Store available, it’s almost certainly certified. Just do the following checks:
Open the Google Play Store on your Android phone or tablet. Tap the three-bar icon to open the sidebar menu.
Click on “ Settings ”.
Scroll down to the “ About ” section and look at the “ Play Protect Certification” section, you will know if your device is certified or not.
If it says Certified under the device certification section , it means your device is certified and you have nothing to worry about when using it. But if it says Uncertified , you need to take some steps to get it confirmed.
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