If Android were a car engine, and you popped the hood and poked around a bit, you’d find the label “Linux” etched on the engine block. The open-source operating system provides the starting point that Android’s built on top of, but sharing code also means sharing vulnerabilities. Now a newly discovered Linux kernel bug is raising concerns for the security of Android devices, as it leaves a door open for malware intrusion.
The glitch in question has been dubbed “Dirty Pipe” by software engineer Max Kellerman, who provides a detailed writeup about the bug’s discovery. He first spotted some mysteriously corrupted log files last year, and his analysis of the problem revealed a kernel-level flaw that’s existed since 2020. The vulnerability lets software overwrite the system page cache, even for files where apps shouldn’t otherwise have permission. He determined that in the wrong hands the issue had potential for exploitation and alerted the team behind Linux kernel security. Properly coded malware could use this method to obtain full control of a vulnerable system by overwriting files as vital as the system’s root password.
Kellerman was also able to reproduce the bug on a Pixel 6, and reached out to let Google know. The company similarly prepared a fix, and merged it into the Android kernel. Right now, it’s just a matter of OEMs needing to incorporate that fixed kernel in future device updates.
For what it’s worth, Google confirmed to Android Police that Dirty Pipe did not play a role in delaying the release of Android 12L for the Pixel 6. Linux users, meanwhile, need to install their distro’s most recent security updates ASAP.
Without a question, Magisk is one of the best tools a rooted user can utilize to customize any Android device. You can install modules to accomplish almost anything you want that aren’t system-dependent, which means they won’t replace your system files permanently. You’ll be back to stock after uninstalling them and rebooting. Certain module-related properties have changed in recent versions of Magisk; to learn more about how to install and use it, see the tutorial below.
Download official Magisk repo
This official repo was built directly into the Magisk app to make installing and updating your modules quick and easy. However, starting with Magisk v24.0, developer John Wu has decided to remove it entirely from the app. If you previously relied only on the app for your module needs, you might be unsure of what to do now that the feature is missing.
Smartphone makers may consider rooting your phone and installing Magisk modules to be technological methods that void your warranty. If something goes wrong, you may experience issues ranging from simple data loss to a bricked device, and your device may become less secure as a result. Before you start, make sure you’re aware of the dangers.
Now, you have to manually access the official repo, which you can find by doing the following:
Scroll through the list and tap on a module that interests you.
Look over the description and features to get an idea of what it does, see picture below.
Scroll down to the Releases section towards the bottom, then tap the latest version.
Under Assets, tap the .zip file to download the Magisk module to your device.
The official Magisk repo may eventually shut down because it is no longer accepting new module contributions. The alternative Magisk repo, on the other hand, is available and will act as an unofficial substitute if that happens. This repository is continuously updated with new modules, thus it’s already a popular resource. It, too, uses GitHub, thus the download instructions are the same as for the official repo above.
Install Magisk modules
Open theMagisk app to the main screen.
Tap the Modules tab in the lower right corner.
Hit the Install from Storage button at the top.
Navigate to your Download folder or the location where you saved the module if needed.
Tap the module .zip file to begin the installation process, then follow any on-screen instructions as necessary.
Once finished, press the Reboot button at the bottom to restart and activate the module.
Although module compatibility is generally strong, not all combinations will operate well together. If you’re using a lot of different modules, be cautious about how many you install at once to avoid problems like a bootloop. Under typical situations, though, you should be able to stack many modules together without difficulty.
The BootloopSaver module is something that we recommend you check out when installing lots of modules. Knowing you won’t lose the data on your device because of a compatibility issue should help put your mind at ease. It’s also handy if you don’t have a custom recovery environment to fall back on.
The left screenshot shows the default gesture navbar at the bottom on a Pixel device running Android 12, while the right shows it was removed after installing the example module.
How to uninstall Magisk modules
When you decide a module just isn’t working for you, removing it is a straightforward and easy process. To uninstall a Magisk module from your device, do the following:
Open the Magisk app to the main screen.
Tap the Modules tab at the bottom right.
Locate the module you wish to uninstall, then hit the Remove button.
The module’s section and text are grayed out to indicate it’ll be uninstalled the next time you reboot your device.
To undo this action for any reason before that, hit the Restore button, and it’ll reverse the changes instantly.
Tapping the button on the right will turn it off, but not actually uninstall it. This can help with testing module compatibility, since you can always turn it back on later. You’re still required to reboot your device if you plan on disabling and enabling modules in this manner.
Install Fox’s Magisk module manager and how to use it
If you’d prefer to avoid scrolling through online repos looking for new modules, this is the method for you. Developer Fox2Code has created an app to manage your Magisk modules with relative ease. The app pulls from three different online repo sources, including the official one (for now), the unofficial alternative, and Androidacy’s. You can get started using Fox’s module manager by doing the following:
Scroll down to the Releases section towards the bottom, then tap the latest version.
Under the Assets section, hit the .apk file to begin the download.
Once it’s finished downloading, tap the notification in the status bar to install it.
If needed, enable the Install unknown apps permission to continue.
Press Install to begin.
You are greeted with a superuser permission request, so press Grant to confirm your choice.
Tapping the information icon on the right takes you to the README page for each module, and hitting the download button on the left will bring up the installation option. If you want to use a particular module, just tap Install Module, then follow the on-screen instructions as needed. Once you reboot your device, the module will be activated and ready to go.
Like the Magisk app, you can disable a specific module by switching its button to the off position. If you want to uninstall it entirely from your system, tap the trash bin icon to do that. Either way, you’ll have to do a reboot to finalize the changes you made here.
Tapping the Settings cogwheel in the upper right corner and going to Manage repos will let you pick where the modules come from. All sources are enabled by default, but you can disable any of them by pressing each switch to the off position.
Despite the fact that the official module repo has been deleted from the Magisk app, modules continue to exist. In fact, as more developers are joining on board with different methods to fund their work, your life with Magisk could get even better. Whether you use an internet source to manually download modules or Fox’s module management, the community has you covered.
Staying on top of the ever-changing environment of mobile security is one of the most difficult tasks for Android users. While Google has made significant progress in combating malware on its platform, fraudsters are quick to change their tactics. Under the guise of “Fast Cleaner,” security experts have discovered a new banking virus.
ThreatFabric, a security group, conducted a thorough investigation of the Fast Cleaner app. Before Google took it down, it had roughly 50,000 installs.
“Based on the intelligence gathered, users of 56 different European banks are among the targets of this new Android malware trojan, distributed on the official Google Play Store, with more than 50.000 installations,” the research team said in a blog post (via Phone Arena).
The Fast Cleaner program infects the Android device with a trojan meant to steal important information from the user, according to ThreatFabric. This could entail reading texts or receiving notifications without the user’s knowledge. This new malware is dubbed “Xenomorph” by the researchers, and it shares some characteristics with the recent Alien banking trojan.
Researchers said that Xenomorph is a relatively new malware and not as advanced as the Alien trojan
Of course, no one wants to install a harmful software on their phone. Users that downloaded the program did so based on the app’s description, which describes it as a “battery saver” and a “phone booster.” If you still have this app installed on your Android phone, uninstall it immediately.
Unfortunately, simply removing the rogue program may not be enough. Users should also review their bank statements for any odd activity and call the bank for additional information.
It’s practically impossible to tell which applications are excellent and which are terrible because there are so many with similar-sounding titles. The Fast Cleaner software was created by a developer identified as “ilzeeva4” and published on the Google Play Store.
According to ThreatFabric, Xenomorph was still in its early stages when it was discovered. This means it isn’t as sophisticated as the Alien trojan. This app was mostly targeted at European consumers, as shown in the graph below.
In terms of future measures, users should always double-check the apps they download. It’s also wise to go through the ratings and reviews on the Play Store or through other sources.
When you download offline maps, you can access Google Maps’ most useful features even when you’re not connected to the internet. If you’re traveling in a distant place with spotty service or to a foreign nation where you may not have access to a data plan, it’s a terrific option.
When using Maps offline, not all functions are available. You won’t be able to get instructions for public transportation, bicycling, or walking, and you won’t be able to get real-time traffic statistics. You will, however, be able to acquire directions and routes, as well as navigate and search for sites.
Not only can you manually download maps of specified places, but Google Maps will also attempt to automatically update these maps. Because there are many regions in my hometown where the internet connection is sketchy at best, I keep an offline map downloaded at all times to ensure I don’t get lost.
How to download an offline map
Tap your profile icon in the top right of Google Maps.
Google Maps may also suggest maps based on saved addresses and upcoming trips. To download, simply tap the blue arrow to the left of the location.
Pinch in and out to set the area to download.
There is a limit to how far you can zoom out. If you wish to download a more extensive area, you’ll need to repeat this process for each section.
Tap Download.
Your map will now start downloading. The app will return you to the Offline maps screen, where you can monitor its progress.
To rename the map, tap the three-dot overflow menu to the right of its name.
Enter a name and tap Save.
Update an offline map
It’s critical to update your maps on a regular basis, and configuring your offline maps to update automatically saves you time. Most maps will expire a year after being downloaded, and you’ll be notified two weeks ahead of time if they haven’t been updated.
Automatically update and download maps
Tap your profile icon in the top right of Google Maps.
Tap Offline maps.
Tap the Settings button in the top right of your screen.
Toggle the Auto-update offline maps switch to turn on automatic updating.
Toggle the Auto-download recommended maps switch to automatically download recommended maps (e.g., home, work, upcoming trips).
How to manually update maps
Tap your profile icon in the top right of Google Maps.
Tap Offline maps.
Tap the three-button menu to the right of the map you wish to update.
Tap Update.
You don’t need to do anything extra after downloading an offline map. When you’re not connected to the internet, simply open Google Maps to see your saved maps.
Material UI will go beyond the Pixel family, according to Google, but that doesn’t mean it will stop changing and growing in new ways. In Android 12 Beta 3, an experiment extends the dynamic theming system’s reach to home screen icons, but only for Google’s own apps. Third-party apps can now build their own theming-friendly icons in Android 13, so you can have the two-tone icon packs you’ve always wanted without having to install a custom launcher.
Themed app icons, like all of the other ways Material You may decorate an app, take on the color of your backdrop. This will either style the icon’s background or the icon itself, depending on whether you’re in light or dark mode.
Themed icons are an opt-in feature, so no one will be forced to use them if they don’t like the look. To enable dynamically themed icons, long-press a vacant place on the home screen, select Wallpaper & style, and then scroll down to the Themed icons toggle.
Google is urging app developers to add support for themed icons. The requirements are fairly simple, requiring a new monochromatic vector icon — probably just a mask of the original app icon or reusing a notification icon — and a couple tiny changes to the launcher’s adaptive icon XML and the app manifest.
There is no automated re-styling of app icons in the first developer preview, and there is currently no sign that it will ever be. As a result, programs that don’t support themed icons appear in full color, which detracts from the overall appearance. Of course, this is only the initial developer preview, and Google’s apps are the only ones with themed icon support, at least until the Play Store enables apps that use the Tirimasu SDK.
Many apps will undoubtedly make the necessary adjustments in due time, but it’s unlikely that every app developer will prioritize this, particularly those who wait a long time between updates or resist boosting the target SDK for other reasons.
In the meantime, you’ll probably either want to leave themed icons turned off, or go to the trouble of keeping non-themed icons out of your home screen.
Google has recently begun to publish changelogs for its Google Play System updates. We were able to comprehend all of the changes that last month’s upgrade brought to the devices as a result of this. The corporation is now releasing a new Google Play System update for February 2022.
The official changelog is also available on the support page for this new update. It lists all of the new features that the Google Play System update in February 2022 will bring to the devices.
The current version, according to the support page, primarily fixes errors relating to device connectivity, safety, emergency, system, and other issues.
Fixes for the Play Store’s Play-as-you-go download feature are also included. New app discovery, Google Play Billing changes, and new Play Pass and Play Points capabilities are all part of the February 2022 Google Play System upgrade.
Go here to get the whole changelog for the most recent Google Play System upgrade. Play Protect will continue to improve with the latest version in order to keep your device safe.
Changes will arrive with the Google Play Store v29.2 starting February 8
The Google Play Store’s download and installation performance has also been enhanced. The Play-as-you-go feature will be improved, allowing players to begin playing mobile games while they are being downloaded, reducing wait times.
Overall, the update is extremely feature-rich, and now that the official changelog is available, we know exactly what to expect from a new Google Play System upgrade.
There are also some new developer features. These developer capabilities will aid Google and third-party app developers in making their apps support advertisements, accessibility, machine learning, and AI-related activities.
According to the official support website, the Google Play System update for February will include all major bug fixes for device connectivity, developer services, safety and emergency, system administration, and other services.
All of the previously stated Google Play Store updates, such as improvements to Play-as-you-go, a new app discovery tool, and changes to the Play Pass and Play Points programs, will be available starting February 8th with Google Play Store v29.2.
The official changelog mentions that the developer services and system management updates will be accessible starting February 10 via Google Play services v22.06.2.
Comparing the Google Play System February update with the January update shows it is a nearly identical list. In fact, last month’s update packed in more goodies as compared to the upcoming update.
PUBG is one of the most popular online shooter games in recent years, and it has had a significant impact on both the desktop and mobile gaming scenes. PUBG is credited with popularizing the online multiplayer battle royale genre, in addition to fueling competitive e-sports. Following PUBG’s success, a slew of other franchises have put their toes in the genre. PUBG’s untimely prohibition in India also left a gap in the market, which others quickly filled before PUBG could respond. PUBG’s creators have now filed a lawsuit against Free Fire’s creators, as well as Apple, Google, and YouTube, alleging IP infringement.
As Reuters reports, PUBG developer Krafton Inc has filed a lawsuit in the Central District Court of California, alleging that Garena Online’s Free Fire and Free Fire Max games copy several copyrighted aspects of PUBG: Battlegrounds, including its game structure, in-game items, equipment, and locations.
Free Fire and Free Fire Max extensively copy numerous aspects of Battlegrounds, both individually and in combination, including Battlegrounds’ copyrighted unique game opening “air drop” feature, the game structure and play, the combination and selection of weapons, armor, and unique objects, locations, and the overall choice of color schemes, materials, and textures.
Apple, Google, and YouTube are also named as defendants in the lawsuit: Apple and Google distribute Free Fire through their own app stores, and it’s been reported that Free Fire sales in the United States generated millions of dollars in income in the first three months of 2021. Meanwhile, Free Fire gameplay footage and a Chinese film Biubiubiu, which is supposed to be a live-action portrayal of the game, are allegedly available on YouTube. According to the lawsuit, Krafton ordered Garena to stop “exploiting Free Fire and Free Fire Max,” but Garena refused. Apple and Google have been ordered to stop distributing the games, and YouTube has been urged to remove footage, both of which have yet to be done.
Krafton consequently had to file the lawsuit, requesting the court to block the distribution and sales of the Free Fire games, the infringing videos, in addition to requesting damages that include the companies’ profits from Free Fire sales. It remains to be seen how this plays out in court.
Samsung’s deployment of One UI 4, which is based on Android 12, has been lightning fast. This year, the firm made a first by launching beta programs for all of its major flagship smartphone lines, including the Galaxy S, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Z Flip, and Galaxy Z Fold. It then went on to release the stable update for devices like the Galaxy S21, Galaxy Z Flip3, and Galaxy Z Fold3 (although with some issues), and now the S20 and Note20 series are following suit.
In less than 48 hours, Samsung overcame a snag that stalled the One UI 4 deployment for its 2021 flagships, released a stable upgrade for the Galaxy Z Fold2, and began rolling out Android 12 to the S20 and Note20 (per SamMobile). In comparison, OnePlus has only recently stabilized Android 12 on its 9 series flagships, while Motorola and Sony have yet to release even a single upgrade – Samsung is clearly gaining ground. However, we hope that the firm conducts its due research to ensure that these updates work as planned and are not hampered by compatibility concerns, as we witnessed with the launching of the S21.
As we speak, Samsung’s stable One UI 4 software is coming out to the Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, S20 Ultra, Note20, Note20 Ultra, and even the S20 FE, so there’s a good possibility you’ll be ditching Android 11 by 2022. Users in Switzerland have already reported receiving Android 12 over the air, but owners of the S20 and Note20 in other regions of the world could anticipate the software to arrive in the next few days (unless Samsung has reason to halt the release). To see if the update is available for your phone, go to Settings > Software update > Download and install.
It’s no secret that Xiaomi is about to announce a new flagship phone series – like, “in a matter of hours” soon. Prior to their introduction this week, the Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro have been leaked in great detail – we know how they’ll appear and what specs they’ll have. We got a look at a few videos and press renders of the Xiaomi 12 a few days ago. As the phone’s entire spec sheet becomes public, we’re now focusing on the larger Pro model.
The information first leaked on Chinese microblogging site Weibo, before leaker SnoopyTech posted the device’s specifications on Twitter. There are a few distinctions between the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro and its lower-end brother, and they are immediately evident. The Mi 11 and Mi 11 Pro both featured identically sized panels, but the Xiaomi 12 breaks the mold: the Pro will have a 6.73-inch display, while the normal model will have a 6.28-inch panel, as we already discovered.
Other specifications are consistent with earlier reports, leaks, and Xiaomi’s official statements. Instead of a 108MP rear triple camera arrangement, we’ll get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC and a 50MP triple camera setup on the back. The battery will be 4,600mAh, down from 5,000mAh in the 11 series, but we’ll have significantly faster charging speeds this time around, with 120W cable charging and 50W wireless charging capabilities.
The pricing, which is indicated in the spec sheet as 9,999 yuan, may or may not be correct (and it would be a shame if it were). Since that works up to nearly $1,500, it’s been suggested that this could be a placeholder.
Pricing will presumably closer to what the 11 series went for, and we’ll hopefully have more details soon, with plans to announce the phone on December 28.
We’ve already heard a lot about the Xiaomi 12 series, with leaks revealing the 12 Ultra’s large camera module and renders giving us an idea of how the normal 12 will look. Xiaomi is now preparing to make these phones public, as the firm announced on Weibo (via XDA Developers) that its new flagship series will be available in China on December 28.
Initially, the series will consist of at least two phones, the Xiaomi 12 and the Xiaomi 12 Ultra, but if previous lineups are any indication, a few additional models, such as a more cheap Xiaomi 12X, may be released in the near future. The series will premiere alongside MIUI 13, Xiaomi’s latest generation of its own skin on top of Android, according to the company’s CEO Lei June.
Aside from that, we haven’t heard much about the new flagship series from the company. Only Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip will power the flagships, and the graphic hints that one of the phones, most likely the 12 Ultra, would be substantially larger than the other.
A few more significant details have surfaced as a result of rumors and leaks. The Xiaomi 12 is said to have a 50MP camera, an OLED display with a high refresh rate, and 100W fast charging. The enormous camera array on the 12 Ultra reminds us of a washing machine, and it’ll reportedly have technology comparable to its smaller sister, including a QHD+ high-refresh rate screen, 120W fast charging, and a 5,000mAh battery.
Aside from that, we haven’t heard much about the new flagship series from the company. Only Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip will power the flagships, and the graphic hints that one of the phones, most likely the 12 Ultra, would be substantially larger than the other.
A few more significant details have surfaced as a result of rumors and leaks. The Xiaomi 12 is said to have a 50MP camera, an OLED display with a high refresh rate, and 100W fast charging. The enormous camera array on the 12 Ultra reminds us of a washing machine, and it’ll reportedly have technology comparable to its smaller sister, including a QHD+ high-refresh rate screen, 120W fast charging, and a 5,000mAh battery.
We won’t have to wait long to learn everything there is to know about the smartphones when Xiaomi launches them in China on December 28. After that, the 12 series will make its way across the world.
