yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Hurtcake:
So HBO decided to block access to their service as long as you were trying to watch from a rooted device. If I'm gonna pay for the service I want to choose which devices I want to use. Un-rooting is definitely not an option.

So here's a little guide to avoid the root-check done by the application.

I've created one and attached it to the post.

There are some issues with CM10, and some tablets. I'm not a app developer, nor do i know java. Would appreciate if anyone could give a hand with any issues that should come to light.

*******Guide*********

First you need a couple of things

1. Download the latest APKTool and the equlient apktool-install for your preferred OS.

2. Download SignApk.zip

3. Extract files to a folder. e.g "c:\Apktool"

4. Extract "framework-res.apk" from /system/framework/ on your device.

Place this in the same folder as you extracted the previous files.

5. Extract the HBO-app using Titanium backup or similar

Place this in the same folder as you extracted the previous files.

6. Open CMD and navigate to folder

cd c:\Apktool

7. Install Framework and give a friendly name to your framework. You might get multiple if you create for different devices. In this case i name it M8

apktool.jar if framework-res.apk m8

8. Extract the APK with you framework of choice. Use t (tag) to choose

apktool.jar d -t m8 com.hbo.android.app.apk

9. Edit files

From the newly extracted folder, open MainActivity.smali in notepad

com.hbo.android.app\smali\com\hbo\android\app\activity\MainActivity.smali

10. Find and delete

.line 196
invoke-virtual {p0}, Lcom/hbo/android/app/activity/MainActivity;->checkRoot()V

Save the file

11. Rebuild the application

apktool.jar b com.hbo.android.app com.hbo.android.app.new.apk

12. Sign the application

signapk.jar certificate.pem key.pk8 com.hbo.android.app.new.apk com.hbo.android.app.new.signed.apk

Transfer and install app on device

Clear Dalvik Cache just to be sure.

Enjoy

Note. If you get any compiling errors at one time, I cant really help you.

Go to this thread and ask politely.

Be sure you have the latest "aapt.exe" from the thread above.

Also be sure to use the right framework.res.apk for you device. That might also create these errors.

Please leave a response if its working or not, and what ROM\Device you're using

:)

Update:

HBO v1.1:

Guide still works and confirmed working on my I9300. Attached file to post

HBO v1.2:

Hadn't noticed the latest update.

Guide still works and confirmed working on my I9300. Attached file to post

HBO v1.3 Attached

Confirmed working on:

S3 i9300 (Omega 34, Stock, UltimaROM, WanamLite), TF101 (Revolver ICS), TF707 (HW overlays enabled), Note II (Stock), Nexus 7 (SmootROM, Stock), G-Box Midnight (Stock), Nexus (Stock)
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] braverterror:
Log-in okay but FC on playback.

HTC Sensation / ARHD 6.8
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Hurtcake:
Okay, can you try compiling your own version, using the framework-res.apk from your HTC?
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] braverterror:
I am getting the same error with my own version
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Tiketti:
Nexus 7 3G, 4.2.1 works

Nexus 7 3G, stock rooted 4.2.1.

And it's working beautifully! Thank you very much, Hurtcake.

edit: Mentioned a wrong device. Forgot it wasn't the phone I installed this on but the tablet...
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Hurtcake:
Maybe it's not working on HTC. Can you post the red logcat lines that the app produces? Someone else may know what to do.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] braverterror:
Solution found. Change of bootloader from HTC dev unlocked to JuopunutBear HBOOT didt the trick. Thanks
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] ookkeri:
Working beautifully with Note2 (HyperNote 0.4, RedPill 1.0) and Nexus7 (CleanRom v3 franco kernel r31).

Thank you!
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Untouchab1e:
Ridiculous that HBO refuses to function on root devices..
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] m@f:
Hi..

Is this the procedure the same for another apps?

I have an app from the Danish television provider Stofa given me the same problem that i can't play the app on rooted devices..

Sendt fra min GT-I9305 med Tapatalk2
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Hurtcake:
I believe so. The function name may be called something different. The rest should be similar.

Glad you found a solution :)
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] m@f:
I'll give it a try within few days... Christmas time doesn't give me much time playing with my toys..:banghead: :rolleyes:

Sendt fra min GT-I9305 med Tapatalk2
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] m@f:
1234567890
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] m@f:
The Danish App.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] m@f:
Manage to get the framework working now... ;)

Looking forward to find the solution.. I´ll try as well now deleting some of the line I belive can be the tricker and test it..

If you find the "golden key / line" please advise me...

/M@F
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] m@f:
Damn.?

Have some problems with compilation.. could be issues related to my Java.. tried with easyapktool as well.. even without modification of my apk I get compiled errors..

Don't have the time right now for errorhandling this problem, so if other find the way to do it I would appreciate...

Sendt fra min GT-I9305 med Tapatalk2
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Hurtcake:
You'll might have more success asking around in this thread

I've also sent you a PM
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] m@f:
Hi..

Thanks a lot.. will look at it after christmas time..

Sendt fra min GT-I9305 med Tapatalk2
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Silppa:
What is wrong?

c:\apktool>apktool b com.hbo.android.app com.hbo.android.app.new.apk
I: Checking whether sources has changed...
I: Checking whether resources has changed...
I: Building resources...
c:\apktool\com.hbo.android.app\res\values\styles.xml:118: error: Error retrievin
g parent for item: No resource found that matches the given name '@*android:styl
e/Theme.Light'.
c:\apktool\com.hbo.android.app\res\values\styles.xml:129: error: Error retrievin
g parent for item: No resource found that matches the given name '@*android:styl
e/Theme.Holo.Light.Dialog.MinWidth'.
c:\apktool\com.hbo.android.app\res\values\styles.xml:142: error: Error retrievin
g parent for item: No resource found that matches the given name '@*android:styl
e/Widget.ProgressBar.Small'.
Exception in thread "main" brut.androlib.AndrolibException: brut.common.BrutExce
ption: could not exec command: [aapt, p, --min-sdk-version, 7, --target-sdk-vers
ion, 16, -F, C:\Users\Aleksi\AppData\Local\Temp\APKTOOL1140071533913893449.tmp,
-I, C:\Users\Aleksi\apktool\framework\1.apk, -S, c:\apktool\com.hbo.android.app\
res, -M, c:\apktool\com.hbo.android.app\AndroidManifest.xml]
at brut.androlib.res.AndrolibResources.aaptPackage(AndrolibResources.jav
a:255)
at brut.androlib.Androlib.buildResourcesFull(Androlib.java:324)
at brut.androlib.Androlib.buildResources(Androlib.java:269)
at brut.androlib.Androlib.build(Androlib.java:192)
at brut.androlib.Androlib.build(Androlib.java:174)
at brut.apktool.Main.cmdBuild(Main.java:188)
at brut.apktool.Main.main(Main.java:70)
Caused by: brut.common.BrutException: could not exec command: [aapt, p, --min-sd
k-version, 7, --target-sdk-version, 16, -F, C:\Users\Aleksi\AppData\Local\Temp\A
PKTOOL1140071533913893449.tmp, -I, C:\Users\Aleksi\apktool\framework\1.apk, -S,
c:\apktool\com.hbo.android.app\res, -M, c:\apktool\com.hbo.android.app\AndroidMa
nifest.xml]
at brut.util.OS.exec(OS.java:83)
at brut.androlib.res.AndrolibResources.aaptPackage(AndrolibResources.jav
a:253)
... 6 more

c:\apktool>
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] samiljan:
A perhaps easier way is: (tested with version 1.0 of the HBO app)

1. Edit /system/build.prop and make sure that ro.build.tags is something other than test-keys.

2. Remove the Superuser app (and use SuperSU instead)

3. Delete /system/xbin/which (this might make some scripts fail to work, but i doubt it. It is just a symlink to busybox anyways)

These are the three things the checkRoot function is checking. An interesting point is that it uses which to see if it can find su, but even if which can't find it it reports that the device is rooted. Only if the call fails (like when which is missing) is accepts the device.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] toofank:
worked like a charm. thanks a bunch :)
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] ctolsen:
Can't make it work. Made a post here.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Hurtcake:
Has anyone tried samiljan's method?

Try updating the APKTool. There should be a new version fixing this. hopefully. :)

Edit: Here's the link
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Sebz4n:
Thank you, this worked on my Nexus 4 and Nexus 10.

However, it force closes whenever I try to stream something on my NEO G4 android stick :( (4.0.4)
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Pirkule:
On Transformer Prime running AndroWook it lets me sign in but when trying to play a video, it tells me that there is an error while playing the content and tells me to make sure that my order is valid and only one device is in use. Works fine on pc and I'm sure that only one device is in use.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] sopidos:
EDIT:

Apperantly I had just a good luck with the first episode, but I used the apk provided by TS. I will try to create my own.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] nickwarn:
Thank you OP. Used app in OP on my Note 10.1 running Redemption Rom and it works TIP TOP!!!
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] ramsenn:
I need help

Hi i don't really know how to get framework and such one how do i fix the app im on a rooted stock frimare note 2 or could i just download the attached app ?
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] whpsnp:
I can confirm that this method works on my rooted ASUS TF101 running RaymanFX's CM10.

Very easy way to get it working, thanks!

Sendt fra min Transformer med Tapatalk2
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] gapone:
Hmmmm what about your root access after deleting system/xbin ? I think it cripples the root of you delete that xbin folder or am I wrong?
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] whpsnp:
Sv: [MOD] HBO Nordic on root (app+guide)

Not sure, actually. Haven't had any problems so far. I don't flash new ROMs that often though, the tablet is mostly used by my son. If I encounter any problems I'll just have to restore it to the way it was and run HBO on other devices.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] heath60:
Anybody got this working on a Rikomagic mk802 IIIs or similar device? I've tried, but everytime i try to play a video it returns to the login screen.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Hurtcake:
HBO v1.1 just released.

Guide still applies, and I've attached a patched file to the OP.

As usual i cannot guarantee it will work for you. It's at least working on my I9300.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] daemonbyte:
Did you ever figure it out for the Riko?
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] ramsenn:
Sv: [MOD] HBO Nordic on root (app+guide)

Could you make so it log in auto?
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Hurtcake:
I think HBO have to release an update with support for the Rikomagic chipset.

Sorry I'm not able to do that. Someone else may find a way.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] M4Kval:
Works great on the HTC One X
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Brodrost:
Tackar!

Just discovered that the HBO app doesn't work after root, and you came to the rescue. This after messing about to get allshare cast working after rooting. God damnit Samsung and HBO!

Now the only feature Im missing from HBO is a website and android app with an interface that doesn't suck. :) They should imitate the netflix interface instead of having you wade trough a bunch of menus to find a series and start watching from episode 1.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Basoda:
For everyone who like me can log in but not play the videos.

Our problem is that HBO has made a ****ty app.

It's working on my tablet (Sometimes) but not on my phone.

Like whpsnp said, the rootchecker in the app is only looking for test-keys, Superuser and /system/xbin/which.

So if you can get past the login, then rootchecker isn't your issue.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Hurtcake:
HBO v1.2 update.

Hadn't seen the latest update. New apk is attached to original post.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] madcowrules:
Any possebilety to remove the hdmi check on this appp..?

This will make it work on the android sticks...

Madcow
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] goxboxlive:
Works just fine on my Nexus 5 with slimkat. Any chance for upgrading to the latest version (1.3). I cant find the apk to download.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] PartyMango:
Yeah, getting the new binary without the annoying root check would be nice: I'm still stuck on 1.2 for my Nexus 10 as well.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] larscn:
Why not just recompile it yourself? Anyway here is a recompiled 1.3 version. :laugh:

I'm not a developer. Just followed the guide, so if it don't work on your device, try to do it yourself. ;)
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] martinjochimsen:
hmmmm....I can't make the guide work in Windows 8 and I can't make apktool work in my Ubuntu 14.04.

So just to make sure.

The file You have recompiled is a HBO app that should work on a rooted device?

Martin :)
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] larscn:
It's the HBO Nordic app yes. It worked at least on my s3 mini and Asus tf300 running omni rom and cyanogemod. Haven't tested it extensively our used it lately.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] martinjochimsen:
YES!!!

I can confirm it works on my GNex with a LiquidSmooth ROM.

Thanks a lot.

Martin :)
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Hurtcake:
Sorry for my absence.

The guide still works for Windows 8. Tested myself on Windows 8.1.

I've also updated the guide a bit and attached the app for version 1.3.

:)
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] martinjochimsen:
I think I was a bit fast saying it worked.

I can sign in, choose movie and when the video is loading I get this message:

Video error. Check that only one device is in use and account is valid. If problem persists, contact costumer support.

When I sign in on the computer, I can see my Galaxy Nexus under "devices", but the phone/app will not play the movie.

My account is valid and I only have this phone logged on.

Has anyone had this problem?

Martin
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] bjarnehe:
I have the same problem.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] martinjochimsen:
I think I'll try and unroot and then try the unmodded app...
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] tusvik:
Why dont you guys just install xposed framework and use the mod rootcloak. To hide root from the app

---------- Post added at 02:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 AM ----------

Try the solution in my previous post.

Svein
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Hurtcake:
I do have the same problem aswell. I think its because its a ****ty app. Rootcloak has never worked for me. It gives me the same error, but it may work for you.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] tusvik:
Pic before and after the module. I am on cm 11
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] tusvik:
Remember you need to add the app manually to the list of apps to hide root from.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Hurtcake:
But are you actually able to play a video? I got that far as well but were never able to play a video. Not sure if that was my phone's fault or the module's.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] bjarnehe:
Yes, I have gotten that far as well, using root cloak and also the modified app. I can not play any movie though.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] tusvik:
Just sign up for hbo again, this did actually work for me last time I had a subscription. But you guys are right it don't work anymore. But found more people using this solution before when it worked for me.

Sorry for giving you hope, will try looking for a other solution.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Qnorsten:
Root cloak works great for me
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] tusvik:
Are you on stock room or cm/aosp?
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Qnorsten:
Using Galaxy SIII with stock rom.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] tusvik:
I read in the root cloak tread that it is harder to hide root on a cm based room.

That can be the reason it don't work for me anymore
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] larscn:
I get that problem from time to time also. Have to force close the app and delete data. Then I can log in again. Happens with the non modified version on other devices too. Sometimes I think it would be much easier to just download from tpb. Annoying that hbo makes life hard for those who actually pays to see their shows.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] strix75:
Works great.

My tested devices:

LG G3

MiniX X7

MiniX X8

Good work.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] the_past:
I get a playback error on my note 2 on omnirom
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] maltheman:
Does this fix still work?
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] adamhassel:
It does not. The root detection has been changed significantly, and the new method doesn't just check for root. For example, it refuses to run on a non-rooted LineageOS. There is also evidence of a blacklisted apps list in the HBO apk.

Trying a similar approach to the one described here does not enable playback on rooted devices, sadly.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] pryggi:
[MENTION=4291045]adamhassel[/MENTION]

Did you manage to decompile the apk, to check this? I think I managed, but as I am not a java developer, I couldn't figure out what kind of checks the app does.

I'm on Lineage based RR rom with Magisk, with root hide, passing Safetynet, but nevertheless HBO Nordic gives a "problem has occurred and the service may be temporarily unavailable" error while I try to play a video. I have tried to change the build tags and strings from userdebug to user and dev-keys to release-keys in build.prop but still no luck. I wonder what else to try... ?

Luckily casting to android tv works.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] adamhassel:
Yes, I decompiled and played around for quite a while. It does many checks, among them permissions checks, app blacklist checks, and more. In the end, it sends a payload (a hash of the different checks) to an HBO server, which then determines if you're allowed to play content. Then the app downloads video player software on the fly, with permissions to play the specific episode you're trying to watch.

So it is non-trivial to circumvent. Most likely, a signature of the app itself is used to make this hash, which means that as soon as it's been tampered with, thus changing the app signature, the hash check will fail remotely, regardless of the other checks.

In the end, I gave up.

The reason it fails, even though you (and I) have all sorts of root hiding stuff going on may be a widevine security thing. My phone has L3 widevine access (as do most custom ROMs), and HBO may require L2 or L1. Use DRM Info from the Play Store to check your level.

Disclaimer: I am not a smali ninja, so my conclusions may be wrong. But I'm fairly certain this is at least pretty close to what's happening.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] pryggi:
Thanks for your reply. I tested on my RR rom device and yes the widevine security is on L3. I'll test later on my other devices, on which the hbo app works to see which levels these are on.

In the meantime I googled this topic and found this related thread:

https://xdaforums.com/nexus-6/help/widevine-drm-reporting-l3-security-t3333687

where it was seemingly impossible to get the device back to L1 level...
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] adamhassel:
That is in line with my research. Once you're at L3, you're not going back to L1 without sending it to the factory, where they have tools to generate new keys for your specific phone. Unlocking bootloader apparently triggers an unreversible L1 -> L3 downgrade.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] pryggi:
I ran the drm info on my nexus 7 2013, unlocked bootloader, stock NOT rooted android 6.0.1 and widevine security level is surprisingly L1. Hbo works. Prior to current situation, android 5.1.1 was rooted. But no custom rom has been on this device.

On nexus 4, nitrogen os 7.1.2 rom, aroma gapps: drm is not present at all. Maybe i did not select sth which includes drm in aroma installer?

On untampered sony android tv it is L1.

On my RR oneplus2 L3 device I could try flashing stock rom, relocking the bootloader and setting the device tampered flag to false but there is not much incentive for me.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] pryggi:
Seems that the widevine drm level L1 vs L3 is not the issue in case of my oneplus2. I tested on a brand new Xiaomi bootloader locked and not rooted miui 8.2.5 and the drm is at L3 and HBO Nordic works fine. So it must be detecting somehow the LineageOS on the oneplus2.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] adamhassel:
Yes, same here. Tested on factory stock (unrooted, locked) Huawei P9+, which is also L3. HBO works fine.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Antsu:
[MENTION=4291045]adamhassel[/MENTION] [MENTION=6907559]pryggi[/MENTION] Yeah, there seems to be something else than the L1/2/3 checks. I have op3 with stock magisk rooted oos 4.1.6 and dorimanx kernel. Hbo is hidden in magisk hide. DRM info shows L3 level and Hbo gives the playback error.

But when I just uninstall magisk and dirty flash rom and kernel, hbo starts working. Level is still the same L3. So, the rooting must trigger something else.

Also, the situation was the same with AOSPA rom. With root, doesn't work. Unrooted, works.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note II] viperv303:
Saw my phone flip over to 4g while walking to get lunch in Van Nes the other day. Seems the 4g coverage is rapidly spreading within DC. Before it only turned on around the white house and union station. Now I'm starting to pick it up even on the edge of the city. And its getting decent speeds. Not as good as my AT&T phone on LTE... but a hell of a lot better than what sprint claims as 3g.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note II] halorin:
Now need to make it to Arlington. :)
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note II] digiblur:
Looks like you had a marginal signal of LTE with that speed.

Sent from a little old Note 2
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note II] kenny8504:
I beleive its in certain spots of Arlington its in Springfield already
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note II] MiguelHogue:
I in dc and still have no 4g :(

-TeaM VeNuM Like A Boss

-Galaxy Note II Edition
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note II] mditty77:
today in Indianapolis. It's the best speed I've gotten on lte or Wimax.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note II] mditty77:
And here's my $50 / month Internet (wifi).

View attachment 1581731

Ridiculous!
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note II] smooth703:
i work just south of springfield and im on 4g
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note II] qfnol31:
I live near the ICC and Georgia Ave. and we have a small pocket of LTE where I get almost 18 Mbps down and 7.5 up.