Android users who enjoy customizing their devices are in for a disappointment. If you rely on Apple Music and have a rooted Google Pixel phone or tablet, you’ll no longer be able to stream your favorite tunes. Apple has begun implementing checks on Android devices to detect root status, and Apple Music will refuse to function on rooted devices.
First discovered by a Redditor and shared by AssembleDebug on X, the latest Apple Music beta version (4.7) allegedly blocks functionality on rooted Android devices. It displays the message: “Apple Music is no longer available on rooted devices.” This decision is sure to frustrate Android enthusiasts who value the ability to root their devices for greater control, customization, and removal of unwanted software. Google Pixel users, in particular, will feel hard done by this decision given how flexible they are when it comes to rooting.
To be fair, Apple isn’t alone in this trend. Some banking and mobile payment apps already refuse to work on rooted Android devices. Samsung Pay/Samsung Wallet is a good example, and even Google is blocking RCS features in Google Messages on rooted phones. But unlike Google, the current Apple Music check is rather basic, simply looking for the presence of the “su binary” (a file associated with root privileges). This means that tools like Magisk, which specialize in masking root status, could potentially offer a workaround by adding Apple Music to its “deny list.” Apple would have made bypassing the restriction more difficult by using Google’s Play Integrity system, which Google employed when implementing RCS restrictions.
It’s important to note that Apple Music’s root detection is currently in beta. However, this restriction could extend to future stable versions of the app. So, if you’ve rooted your Google Pixel phone or tablet, be prepared for potential disruptions to your Apple Music experience.
Apple hasn’t made any official statement regarding this development, but knowing Cupertino, we’re less likely to get any explanation for this sudden change.
Hillary Keverenge
2114 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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