Snapchat blocks Android users with root access

Snapchat has released a new version of its Android application that checks if the device on which the app is installed is rooted. In that case, the application will not function. Snapchat probably wants to prevent built-in security from being bypassed.

The new root check was discovered by developers on the XDA Developers forum. In a recently released version of Snapchat, according to the developers, a number of ‘tests’ are being done; if these prove to be positive, the application is stopped. For example, it is checked whether the user has superuser access on the relevant Android device.

Snapchat probably wants to prevent the security in the application from being bypassed by banning rooted Android devices. The social network is known for its privacy features, such as posts that delete themselves after a short time. For example, root access and customizations in the software allow users to keep secretly sent messages. This is possible, for example, after installing Snapprefs, which requires the Xposed framework. Also the built-in detection for taking screenshots can be blocked via this tweak. Root access is required to use the Xposed framework, and thus Snapprefs.

Many Android users grant themselves root access on their device to enable additional functions. As a result, potentially many Android users are affected by the new root check. Snapchat has not yet released an explanation for blocking rooted Android devices.