Unlocking the Motorola G23 (and some words on Motorola)

https://shomy.is-a.dev/blog/article/unlocking-the-motorola-g23

by Bogdanp • 1 year ago

9 2 1 year ago

While making the build, I (for some not so specific reason) decided to analyse network traffic in idle, to then discover how Moto has many system apps and services in its stock firmware that allows them to completely lock you out from using the device. Most notably PAKS (present in all Motorola devices) and SysDLL (known as co.sitic.pp).
The first is moto in house MDM system, which is completely integrated into SystemUI to force lock you out.
The latter is yet another MDM app, specific to South American carriers. This app in particular is what can be considered spyware. It’s specifically hidden within the application list (can be confirmed by decompiling the settings appnwith jadx) and every ~10-15 seconds it sends a POST request to various servers with the 1st IMEI to know if to lock the device.

Not just no, fuck no. This is straight-up factory-loaded malware.

For those looking for the opposite of the above, GrapheneOS on a Pixel.

g-technology• 1 year ago

I gave up on Moto many years ago because of their mediocre hardware and slow updates on top of short update lifetime. It is the only phone manufacturer that I have ever seen release a new version of a product with significantly worse hardware.

Unlocking the Motorola G23 (and some words on Motorola)

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