Android 13 began rolling out to Google’s Pixel gadgets this week, however some customers are dismayed to search out this can be a one-way improve—after putting in Android 13, you can not return to Android 12 on the Pixel 6, 6 Professional, or the brand new Pixel 6a. Whereas this appears antithetical to the openness of Pixel smartphones, this comes from a dedication to safety.
The brand new software program is rolling out to telephones in batches as an OTA replace, however you do not have to attend. Pixel telephones can make the most of Google’s coverage of posting all software program pictures and OTA information on-line. So, you may seize the replace file to your cellphone and set up it with Google’s official instruments. Doing so with the most recent Pixels will pop up a warning, explaining that you simply can not return to Android 12 due to the Pixel’s anti-roll again counter. Some Pixel homeowners are up in arms about this, however professional voices have chimed in to clarify the state of affairs.
Esper editor Mishaal Rahman confirmed this is because of a vulnerability within the Android 12 bootloader. Android is open supply, and which means it’s probably weak to “downgrade assaults.” Primarily, an attacker downgrades the software program to an older model that has recognized exploits. That is notably harmful in open supply software program like Android as a result of the act of fixing an exploit reveals it to everybody.
In line with Shawn Willden, who works on Android {hardware} safety, anti-rollback counters (ARCs) are usually not a brand new know-how. Nevertheless, they’re not often applied as a result of doing so is sophisticated, and it could actually upset customers, as we’re seeing with the Android 13 rollout. An ARC is a numerical counter, normally applied as a lot of fuses which might be tripped upon the set up of latest software program. If the counter worth in a chunk of code would not match the counter, the system will refuse to load it.
Most customers aren’t going to look again after upgrading to Android 13 anyway. This model makes a lot of necessary adjustments, just like the enlargement of Materials You themes, extra management over the info apps can entry, and the flexibility to sync clipboard content material between gadgets. In case you have a Pixel 4 or later, you may get Android 13 from Google’s dev web site and set up it proper now. Older Pixels haven’t got the identical ARC setup because the Pixel 6 household, so you could possibly unlock the bootloader and flash Android 12 (or an excellent earlier construct) in order for you. Not that it’s best to.
