Pokemon Go Playable on Rooted Devides Again

If you're a root user who has played Pokémon Get over the years, then you're probably familiar with the detection methods used to spoil your fun. The game's programmer, Niantic, has publicly mentioned their ongoing battle with rooted Android phones and are unwilling to let up. They have a no-nonsense arroyo to try and keep you from playing, and they've stepped their game upwardly once over again.

What makes their detection methods so ambitious? Niantic relies on an internal storage scanning feature that looks for root files relating to Magisk in specific — all without the user fifty-fifty knowing. However, Magisk Hide was able to hands defeat this once it went public for all. Since so, we have been able to stay rooted and play Pokémon GO without much event, until a very recent game update.

It appears the game is now checking for the "TWRP" folder in particular, which is a common directory many root users will likely have. TWRP is a custom recovery used to install Magisk and other mods, so information technology makes sense for them to target that equally the next logical step. You tin can't blame Niantic, though. Someone in the past ruined information technology for the balance of the states, so this is their response to the situation.

Fixing the Latest 'Device Incompatible' Error

This new "TWRP" folder detection method commencement started when Niantic added it to their other game, Wizards Unite. It merely took a few weeks for them to use the same root detection feature to Pokémon Get too. This was bound to happen, which didn't surprise me in the least bit. Now that y'all have some insight equally to what's been going on with the game, let's notice out what you can do about information technology.

Since Pokémon GO is looking for the "TWRP" binder at the root directory of your internal storage, the simple workaround hither is to delete or rename the "TWRP" folder. I know information technology'due south not ideal, but it's all you can practice at this time to go along you lot from getting the "Device Incompatible" error. Magisk Hibernate currently can't beat this one yet, but hopefully, something can be done in the future to fix this.

How to Make Pokémon GO Work When You Have TWRP Installed

You lot should note, the "TWRP" folder detection is in addition to the previous Magisk related file scanning I mentioned earlier. You lot yet need to utilise Magisk Hide for Pokémon GO to get by the initial root bank check. If nothing works, you lot might have to rename or delete Magisk specific files or folders. This is specially true for the "magisk_patched.img" file that many of united states of america employ to gain root admission.

The TWRP Folder Volition Block Non-Rooted Phones, Besides

Just equally I did with Wizards Unite, this new root detection method used in Pokémon GO got me thinking nearly a fun experiment. Can a non-rooted Android device go hitting with the "Device Incompatible" fault just the same? It turns out, the respond is a definite yeah during my own testing. Permit's dive in a piffling more, shall nosotros?

As expected, I tin add a blank "TWRP" binder to my internal storage, and information technology will mess up my power to play on an unrooted stock device. Removing the folder remedies the consequence instantly, but the fault doesn't seem to striking every time for me either. You can get hit upon startup immediately or even randomly during some point of the game besides, so don't assume you're in the clear right away.

The magisk_patched.img File Tin Also Crusade Bug

I also discovered a fun piece of information regarding the "magisk_patched.img" file most of us with A/B partitioning devices will have. This is the patched boot image file we use to gain root access through the Fastboot method, so information technology stands out equally a scarlet flag. I purposely added a "magisk_patched.img" file to a stock device — I got the "Device Incompatible" fault immediately upon startup.

As you probably guessed it past now, removing or renaming the file magically fixed the problem right away. Crazy stuff, right? So at that place are multiple checks in place that Niantic is using for their games to try and keep root users out. If you weren't aware of these root detection methods, so y'all have a much better idea now. Hopefully, you can avert these issues and continue playing like usual!

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