From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android


https://reclaimthenet.org/google-broke-recaptcha-for-de-googled-android-users

"The company that decides whether you're a bot now also requires you run its software to prove
otherwise.

Google has tied its next-generation reCAPTCHA system to Google Play Services on Android,
meaning anyone running a de-Googled phone will automatically fail verification when the system
decides to challenge them.

The requirement forces Android users to run Google’s proprietary app framework version
25.41.30 or higher just to prove they’re human.

When reCAPTCHA flags what it considers suspicious activity, it abandons the old image puzzles
and demands you scan a QR code. That scan requires Play Services running in the background,
communicating with Google’s servers. If you’re using GrapheneOS or any other custom ROM that
strips out Google’s software, the verification fails.

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Richmond wrote:

The requirement forces Android users to run Google¢s proprietary app framework version
25.41.30 or higher just to prove they¢re human.

I just checked, and apparently it's true.
<https://www.androidauthority.com/google-recaptcha-play-services-requirement-3664806/>

Even iOS is apparently affected!
<https://support.google.com/recaptcha/answer/16609652?hl=en>
"If verifying on iOS/iPadOS device with version 15.0-16.4, download
the reCAPTCHA app in the App Store. After installation, return to
the challenge to try again."
<https://piunikaweb.com/2026/05/07/google-recaptcha-play-services-requirement/>

This requirement kicks in only when reCAPTCHA escalates to the new QR-code verification step.
<https://byteiota.com/google-recaptcha-breaks-de-googled-android-devices/>

Slowly but inexorably, Google is becoming Apple & Apple is becoming Google.
a. iOS 16.4+ can complete the verification natively
b. It's only older iOS which requires the reCaptcha app

My USA-unrootable Samsung is partially degoogled so I checked a few things:
1. First I checked if adb was working (since I'm sitting at the PC)
adb devices -l
List of devices attached
SERIAL device product:a32xsq model:SM_A326U device:a32x transport_id:1

2. Then I checked if I have Google Play Services installed, which I do.
adb shell pm list packages | grep com.google.android.gms
package:com.google.android.gms

3. Then I checked if Play Services was disabled, and it's not disabled.
adb shell pm list packages -d | grep gms
returns nothing

4. Then I checked if my Play Services version is newer than required
adb shell dumpsys package com.google.android.gms | grep versionName
versionName=26.12.33 (190400-892550550)
versionName=23.16.13 (190400-527363516)

Google's new reCAPTCHA requires 25.41.30 or higher.

5. Had it not been higher than required, I'd have to install the checker APK.
<https://github.com/1nikolas/play-integrity-checker-app>
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gr.nikolasspyr.integritycheck>
adb install play-integrity-checker.apk

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Maria Sophia wrote:

5. Had it not been higher than required, I'd have to install the checker APK.
<https://github.com/1nikolas/play-integrity-checker-app>
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gr.nikolasspyr.integritycheck>
adb install play-integrity-checker.apk

I just archived the app anyway, just in case I need it in the future:

1. I used the open source google play store app to anonymously install
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gr.nikolasspyr.integritycheck>

2. I used the open source Muntashirakon App Manager to save the split APKs
/storage/emulated/0/AppManager/apks/Play Integrity API Checker_2.2.apks

3. When I run the play integrity api checker it reports
(red) meets_basic_integrity
(green) meets_device_integrity
(red) meets_strong_integrity

This implies Google feels my device is physically secure (Green Device Integrity) but it doesn't like my degoogling efforts (Red Basic Integrity).

Luckily, apparently, most apps only require meets_device_integrity.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> writes:

Google's new reCAPTCHA requires 25.41.30 or higher.

5. Had it not been higher than required, I'd have to install the
checker APK.
<https://github.com/1nikolas/play-integrity-checker-app>
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gr.nikolasspyr.integritycheck>
adb install play-integrity-checker.apk

Why? The phone doesn't sound very degoogled.

This action by Google might run up against EU's Digital Markets Act,
which designates Google as a gatekeeper and places obligations around interoperability and not using one market position to leverage another.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> writes:

This implies Google feels my device is physically secure (Green Device Integrity) but it doesn't like my degoogling efforts (Red Basic
Integrity).

Luckily, apparently, most apps only require meets_device_integrity.

Will this get you past Captchas? It looks to me like google has captured
11% of websites with Captcha. It will be interesting to see what Amazon
does about it, as this would affect FireOS.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Richmond wrote:

Google's new reCAPTCHA requires 25.41.30 or higher.

5. Had it not been higher than required, I'd have to install the
checker APK.
<https://github.com/1nikolas/play-integrity-checker-app>
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gr.nikolasspyr.integritycheck>
adb install play-integrity-checker.apk

Why? The phone doesn't sound very degoogled.

This action by Google might run up against EU's Digital Markets Act,
which designates Google as a gatekeeper and places obligations around interoperability and not using one market position to leverage another.

Regarding "the phone doesn't sound very degoogled", there's only so much
I can do without root (even with Shizuku) on an Android 13 Samsung
(which has far more permission locks than any other brand, as far as I know).

These are packages that I've removed from the device in my check just now.
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "googlequicksearchbox"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.adservices.api" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.android.chrome"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.apps.photos"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.tts"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.apps.docs"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.calendar"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.as"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.gms.supervision" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.youtube"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.projection.gearhead"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.apps.messaging" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.apps.tachyon" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.partnersetup" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.configupdater" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.printservice.recommendation"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.onetimeinitializer"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.ims"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.apps.carrier.setup"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.tts"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.syncadapters.calendar"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.syncadapters.contacts"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.gms.policy_sidecar_aps"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.vending"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.google.android.odad"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.rubin.app"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.ipsgeofence" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.mdx"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.scloud"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep -E "billing|samsungpass"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.sm.devicesecurity"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.lool"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.beaconmanager" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.mateagent"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.sec.spp.push"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.themestore"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.spage"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.aremoji"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.aremojieditor" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "avatarstickers"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.sec.mhs.smarttethering"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.smartface.overlay"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.smartface"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.scpm"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "samsungsocial"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "continuity"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.mdx"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.galaxyfinder"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.parentalcare"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.dressroom" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.taskedge" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.appsedge" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.cocktailbarservice"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.omcagent" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.sharelive" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.routines" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.dofviewer" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.soundpicker"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.clipboardedge"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.appseparation" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.reminder" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.clockpack" adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.app.notes"
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep "com.samsung.android.arzone"

But here's what's still left for me to remove...
adb shell pm list packages --user 0 | grep -E "samsung|sec|scloud|carrier|google"

package:com.sec.android.RilServiceModeApp
package:com.samsung.oda.service
package:com.sec.android.provider.emergencymode
package:com.sec.android.iaft
package:com.samsung.android.vtcamerasettings
package:com.samsung.android.dsms
package:com.samsung.android.mcfds package:com.google.android.overlay.gmsconfig.asi
package:com.samsung.ipservice package:com.samsung.android.accessibility.talkback package:com.google.android.ondevicepersonalization.services package:com.sec.android.app.magnifier
package:com.samsung.android.app.contacts
package:com.google.android.documentsui package:com.samsung.android.knox.attestation package:com.samsung.android.smartcallprovider
package:com.sec.bcservice
package:com.samsung.app.newtrim package:org.secuso.privacyfriendlyactivitytracker package:com.samsung.android.peripheral.framework package:com.samsung.android.mdm
package:com.sec.android.app.personalization package:com.samsung.android.providers.contacts package:com.samsung.accessibility package:com.google.android.overlay.gmsconfig.geotz package:com.sec.android.app.bluetoothagent package:com.samsung.android.app.watchmanagerstub package:com.samsung.android.wifi.softap.resources package:com.samsung.android.networkstack package:com.google.android.overlay.modules.modulemetadata.forframework package:com.samsung.android.callbgprovider
package:com.sec.epdg
package:com.samsung.android.wcmurlsnetworkstack package:com.sec.android.app.hwmoduletest package:com.sec.android.emergencylauncher package:com.google.android.apps.carrier.carrierwifi package:com.sec.android.easyonehand
package:com.sec.android.smartfpsadjuster package:com.sec.android.widgetapp.easymodecontactswidget package:com.sec.android.app.camera
package:com.samsung.android.honeyboard
package:com.sec.android.app.setupwizard package:com.samsung.android.allshare.service.fileshare package:com.google.android.setupwizard
package:com.samsung.cmfa.AuthTouch
package:com.samsung.android.dynamiclock
package:com.sec.app.RilErrorNotifier package:com.samsung.android.privacydashboard
package:com.samsung.android.dialer
package:com.sec.android.app.wlantest
package:com.google.android.modulemetadata
package:com.sec.hearingadjust
package:com.samsung.android.knox.containercore package:com.google.android.ext.services
package:com.sec.factory.cameralyzer
package:com.samsung.android.smartmirroring
package:com.google.android.gms
package:com.sec.android.app.soundalive
package:com.samsung.adaptivebrightnessgo
package:com.samsung.klmsagent
package:com.google.mainline.telemetry
package:com.samsung.unifiedtp
package:com.samsung.android.cmfa.framework package:com.google.audio.hearing.visualization.accessibility.scribe package:com.samsung.android.svcagent package:com.samsung.android.widget.pictureframe
package:com.sec.imslogger
package:com.sec.enterprise.mdm.services.simpin package:org.secuso.privacyfriendlytodolist
package:com.sec.android.diagmonagent
package:com.sec.providers.assisteddialing package:com.samsung.sec.android.teegris.tui_service package:com.google.android.stardroid package:com.samsung.android.localeoverlaymanager package:com.samsung.android.incallui package:com.samsung.android.allshare.service.mediashare
package:com.sec.sve
package:com.google.android.permissioncontroller package:com.samsung.InputEventApp
package:com.samsung.android.sdk.handwriting
package:com.sec.android.sdhms
package:com.samsung.android.networkdiagnostic package:com.sec.android.app.launcher package:com.samsung.android.biometrics.app.setting package:com.samsung.knox.securefolder
package:com.samsung.android.cidmanager package:com.monotype.android.font.samsungone
package:com.samsung.SMT
package:com.samsung.cmh
package:com.sec.android.CcInfo
package:com.sec.enterprise.knox.cloudmdm.smdms package:com.google.android.networkstack.tethering package:com.sec.location.nsflp2
package:com.samsung.android.app.telephonyui
package:com.samsung.android.scs
package:org.sufficientlysecure.ical package:com.samsung.android.wifi.h2e.resources package:com.sec.android.app.myfiles package:com.samsung.android.server.wifi.mobilewips package:com.samsung.android.dqagent
package:com.samsung.android.fmm
package:com.samsung.aasaservice
package:com.sec.android.app.safetyassurance package:com.samsung.android.easysetup
package:com.sec.android.app.quicktool
package:com.samsung.android.sdm.config
package:com.samsung.android.themecenter package:com.google.android.overlay.modules.captiveportallogin.forframework package:com.samsung.android.wifi.p2paware.resources
package:com.sec.usbsettings
package:com.google.android.overlay.gmsconfig.gsa package:com.google.android.overlay.gmsconfig.common package:com.samsung.android.game.gos package:com.samsung.android.app.smartcapture package:com.samsung.android.ConnectivityOverlay
package:com.sec.android.soagent
package:com.samsung.android.fast
package:com.samsung.android.mdecservice package:com.google.android.connectivity.resources package:com.sec.android.mimage.photoretouching package:com.google.android.overlay.modules.permissioncontroller.forframework package:com.samsung.android.app.telephonyui.esimclient package:com.samsung.android.knox.kpecore package:com.samsung.internal.systemui.navbar.sec_gestural_no_hint package:com.sec.android.app.parser
package:com.sec.facatfunction
package:com.google.android.captiveportallogin package:com.google.android.networkstack
package:com.sec.android.app.DataCreate package:com.samsung.android.wifi.softapwpathree.resources package:com.github.bmx666.appcachecleaner.googleplay package:com.google.android.overlay.modules.permissioncontroller package:com.sec.android.app.setupwizardlegalprovider package:com.android.carrierdefaultapp
package:com.samsung.android.bbc.bbcagent package:com.samsung.android.shortcutbackupservice package:com.diotek.sec.lookup.dictionary
package:com.samsung.android.mcfserver
package:com.sec.sprextension
package:com.sec.android.app.factorykeystring package:com.samsung.internal.systemui.navbar.sec_gestural package:com.samsung.android.knox.pushmanager
package:com.google.android.webview
package:com.google.android.sdksandbox package:com.google.android.cellbroadcastservice package:com.sec.android.easyMover.Agent
package:com.google.earth
package:com.samsung.android.container package:com.samsung.android.bluelightfilter package:com.samsung.android.smartsuggestions package:com.google.android.packageinstaller
package:com.sec.hiddenmenu
package:com.sec.location.nfwlocationprivacy package:com.sec.android.app.voicenote package:com.samsung.android.setting.multisound package:com.samsung.android.networkstack.tethering.overlay package:com.sec.unifiedwfc
package:com.samsung.android.dck.timesync
package:com.sec.android.provider.badge
package:com.samsung.safetyinformation package:com.google.android.networkstack.tethering.overlay package:com.google.android.nearby.halfsheet package:com.samsung.sec.android.application.csc package:com.google.android.overlay.modules.ext.services package:org.sufficientlysecure.localcalendar
package:com.sec.phone
package:com.samsung.android.location
package:com.samsung.ims.smk
package:com.samsung.android.forest
package:com.samsung.android.messaging
package:com.samsung.ssu
package:com.sec.android.easyMover
package:com.samsung.android.hdmapp
package:com.samsung.android.ardrawing
package:com.samsung.android.da.daagent package:com.samsung.android.wifi.resources package:com.google.android.providers.media.module package:com.sec.android.gallery3d
package:com.sec.automation
package:com.sec.android.app.servicemodeapp
package:com.sec.omadmspr
package:com.samsung.android.calendar
package:org.secuso.privacyfriendlyweather package:com.samsung.android.inputshare package:com.samsung.android.providers.factory package:com.google.android.overlay.modules.cellbroadcastreceiver package:com.sec.android.autodoodle.service package:com.google.android.cellbroadcastreceiver
package:com.sec.imsservice
package:com.samsung.android.net.wifi.wifiguider package:com.google.android.overlay.modules.documentsui package:com.samsung.advp.imssettings package:com.samsung.android.ConnectivityUxOverlay package:com.google.android.gsf
package:com.sec.epdgtestapp package:com.google.android.overlay.modules.cellbroadcastservice package:com.samsung.android.mtp
package:com.google.mainline.adservices
package:com.google.zxing.client.android package:com.samsung.android.privateshare
package:com.samsung.android.video
package:com.samsung.android.audiomirroring package:com.google.android.apps.wallpaper package:com.samsung.clipboardsaveservice package:com.samsung.android.aware.service package:com.secuso.privacyFriendlyCodeScanner
package:com.sec.factory.camera
package:com.ubqsoft.sec01
package:android.autoinstalls.config.samsung package:com.sec.android.app.SecSetupWizard
package:com.android.carrierconfig package:com.samsung.android.keycustomizationinfobackupservice package:com.google.android.ext.shared
package:com.google.android.apps.maps package:com.samsung.android.provider.filterprovider package:com.sec.android.app.ve.vebgm package:com.samsung.android.samsungpositioning package:com.mtk.google.android.networkstack.tethering.overlay package:com.samsung.android.emergency package:com.samsung.android.smartswitchassistant package:com.samsung.android.knox.analytics.uploader package:com.samsung.android.wallpaper.res package:com.samsung.android.secsoundpicker package:com.google.android.apps.restore package:com.sec.android.app.chromecustomizations package:com.samsung.android.stickercenter
package:com.samsung.faceservice
package:org.secuso.privacyfriendlyfoodtracker package:com.google.android.overlay.gmsconfig.photos package:com.google.android.apps.cameralite package:com.sec.android.app.clockpackage package:com.samsung.android.app.updatecenter
package:com.sec.android.daemonapp package:com.samsung.android.service.stplatform package:com.sec.vsim.ericssonnsds.webapp
package:com.samsung.storyservice
package:com.parsed.securitywall package:com.samsung.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural_no_hint package:com.samsung.android.providers.media package:com.samsung.android.kgclient
package:com.samsung.android.gru
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Richmond wrote:

This implies Google feels my device is physically secure (Green Device
Integrity) but it doesn't like my degoogling efforts (Red Basic
Integrity).

Luckily, apparently, most apps only require meets_device_integrity.

Will this get you past Captchas? It looks to me like google has captured
11% of websites with Captcha. It will be interesting to see what Amazon
does about it, as this would affect FireOS.

As far as I know, reCAPTCHA does NOT use Play Integrity.
It uses Play Services attestation, which is separate.

I only know about this 'cuz you posted this thread, but as far as from what I've read, Play Integrity results don't determine whether Google's new reCAPTCHA v3/v3-Enterprise QR challenge works.

If Google Play Services is installed, enabled, and new enough (25.41.30+), that's all the QR code challenge seems to need, even if on my phone Basic Integrity failed.

The QR-code challenge is performed inside of Google Play Services.



--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2