[Xperia Z5 Compact Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] PhobiaSoft:
So I think most of you already know about Google's strict update to their SafetyNet API, which is used by Android Pay, and Pokemon Go among other apps.

If you don't, SafetyNet is a protocol used by Google Play Services that returns whether your device has been "tampered with". Having Root Access, Xposed installed, or a custom ROM or Kernel, have been known to trip this check, which will prevent the apps that utilize SafetyNet's functionality from running on the device.

Several developers on XDA and in the rooting community have been working overtime in an attempt to find a loophole in SafetyNet's code - enter the likes of Magisk and SuHide, each of which no longer work to hide root from SafetyNet as of the date of this writing.

Now, my personal belief is that after a person has purchased an Android device (and in effect that copy of the device's software) they should be free to make any and all modifications they choose to it - at the risk of their own security of course. Additionally, with apps like Pokemon Go, which offer in-game purchases and then change user agreements through app updates which block potential users after they may have made these same in-game purchases, the argument could be made that the SafetyNet API is even promoting fraud.

It isn't my intention to convince anyone of my position, only understand it. At this time, I am trying to gain a better understanding of exactly what elements found on a device prompt SafetyNet to return that a device has been tampered with. I was once rooted, with Xposed installed, but have since uninstalled both, and even re-flashed stock firmware. Even still, the SafetyNet Helper App I have been using for research always returns a failure. For posterity, I am also unable to log into Pokemon Go on stock firmware with no root or Xposed.

If root access is enabled, I have found that the SafetyNet check itself (step 1) will fail and the app will present a red screen, whereas if root access is not installed, the SafetyNet check will pass, but the Device Signature Verification with Google (step 2) will fail, which results in an overall failure where apps like Android Pay and Pokemon Go are concerned. The most modern counter I have found to hide root from SafetyNet is found here but even it states that the device must be able to pass the SafetyNet check on its own before this modifies SuperUser can be installed, so I feel a bit stuck.

I haven't seen anyone address SafetyNet and the Xperia Z5 Compact in the same sentence, and so my question is, can the Z5C pass SafetyNet at all since its most recent update? Please, download the SafetyNet Helper App from the Play Store and run it on your Z5C. Let me know if you get a red screen (failure at first step) a blue screen (failure at second step) or a green screen (passing). Also tell me about your device, and any modifications you have made to it. Seeing as how I can no longer pass the SafetyNet check at all on newly flashed stock firmware, I worry that the Xperia Z5C may not have been given Google's "Device Signiture Verification" - like many other international Android devices.

And if anyone else can shed some light on this situation, I would be most grateful.