DirecTV Now - No love for root users! [update: there's love now]

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jkchr1s

Senior Member
Dec 30, 2014
179
162
Chattanooga, TN
Update: Thanks to spotmark's discovery, DirecTV Now is working with root.

spotmark said:
Hide My Root Apk works. :good:
Click to expand...

spotmark said:
Just installed and hid SU. I'm rooted on 5.0.5. Did you clear cache and data on Now after you installed Hide My Root?
Click to expand...

There's a write-up and link to the apk for this on aftvnews: http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-use-directv-now-on-a-rooted-amazon-fire-tv-or-fire-tv-stick/

If your rooted FireTV can't see the DirecTV Now app, use this link: https://www.amazon.com/AT-T-Services-Inc-DIRECTV/dp/B01J62Q632 and sign in to your Amazon account. On the right side, select your rooted device and click "Deliver".

----
Original post:

I signed up today for DirecTV Now only to be greeted on my FireTV with the following error:

Code: 
This video failed to load. Restart the app and launch your content again. Or search for Error 40 in the Help Center. (QP1005)

Hrmm.. that's weird. So I looked up Error 40, and it says there's a network problem. I tried it on my non-rooted Nexus 6P and it worked flawlessly. So I jumped in to logcat and found some interesting messages:

Code: 
I/drm_oal ( 4862): IsDeviceRooted: 0x0000000000000002
and
Code: 
D/NewRelicGateway(14071): ERROR event was recorded. Error description = Failed preparing the player because device security check failed due to: (FileSystem)(com.quickplay.vstb.core:1005)

So I installed xposed and RootCloak 2 hoping it would help. I added it to the list of apps and it still had the same problem.

Next thing I did was pull the apk from my Fire TV. After some digging, I found that lib/armeabi/libdrmagent_downloadable_jni.so had some interesting strings in it, including a check for Cyanogen:
Code: 
ro.build.product
ro.build.tags,release-keys,OnePlus3#%?OnePlus2#%?OnePlus#%?Z26CL#%?STUDIO_C,ro.build.type,user,#%?
ro.build.display.id,cm_,#%?,ro.build.display.id,cyanogen,#%?,ro.build.type,debug,#%?,ro.build.type,userdebug,#%?,ro.build.host,cyanogenmod,A0001#%?
and a list of strings for paths it might check:
Code: 
/system/bin/su,#%?,/system/xbin/su,#%?,/sbin/su,#%?,/system/su,#%?,/system/bin/.ext/.su,#%?,/system/usr/we-need-root/su-backup,#%?,/system/xbin/mu,#%?
su,#%?,busybox,#%?
type %s
test -u `whence -p %s`
/data,#%?,/system,#%?,/system/bin,#%?,/system/sbin,#%?,/system/xbin,#%?,/vendor/bin,#%?,/sys,#%?,/sbin,#%?,/etc,#%?,/proc,#%?,/dev,#%?
/isdrmXXXXXX

Why do they even care if you're rooted?? So lame...

Since they appear to be checking for root in a C/C++ .so file, is Xposed useless here?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: spotmark, ryknow27 and msk
D

d3adpool

Senior Member
Dec 9, 2007
125
20
jkchr1s said:
I signed up today for DirecTV Now only to be greeted on my FireTV with the following error:

Code: 
This video failed to load. Restart the app and launch your content again. Or search for Error 40 in the Help Center. (QP1005)

Hrmm.. that's weird. So I looked up Error 40, and it says there's a network problem. I tried it on my non-rooted Nexus 6P and it worked flawlessly. So I jumped in to logcat and found some interesting messages:

Code: 
I/drm_oal ( 4862): IsDeviceRooted: 0x0000000000000002
and
Code: 
D/NewRelicGateway(14071): ERROR event was recorded. Error description = Failed preparing the player because device security check failed due to: (FileSystem)(com.quickplay.vstb.core:1005)

So I installed xposed and RootCloak 2 hoping it would help. I added it to the list of apps and it still had the same problem.

Next thing I did was pull the apk from my Fire TV. After some digging, I found that lib/armeabi/libdrmagent_downloadable_jni.so had some interesting strings in it, including a check for Cyanogen:
Code: 
ro.build.product
ro.build.tags,release-keys,OnePlus3#%?OnePlus2#%?OnePlus#%?Z26CL#%?STUDIO_C,ro.build.type,user,#%?
ro.build.display.id,cm_,#%?,ro.build.display.id,cyanogen,#%?,ro.build.type,debug,#%?,ro.build.type,userdebug,#%?,ro.build.host,cyanogenmod,A0001#%?
and a list of strings for paths it might check:
Code: 
/system/bin/su,#%?,/system/xbin/su,#%?,/sbin/su,#%?,/system/su,#%?,/system/bin/.ext/.su,#%?,/system/usr/we-need-root/su-backup,#%?,/system/xbin/mu,#%?
su,#%?,busybox,#%?
type %s
test -u `whence -p %s`
/data,#%?,/system,#%?,/system/bin,#%?,/system/sbin,#%?,/system/xbin,#%?,/vendor/bin,#%?,/sys,#%?,/sbin,#%?,/etc,#%?,/proc,#%?,/dev,#%?
/isdrmXXXXXX

Why do they even care if you're rooted?? So lame...

Since they appear to be checking for root in a C/C++ .so file, is Xposed useless here?
Click to expand...
I've read other posts from fellow rooted ftv users reporting the same thing. It would seem as if directv is following suit with PSVue in blocking rooted firetvs. It could be possible that it just won't run on any fireos older than 5.2.2.0
.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ryknow27
ryknow27

ryknow27

Senior Member
Oct 19, 2009
274
35
Same issue here. I hope someone figures out a workaround soon. I may just have to wait for my Apple TV to arrive.

d3adpool said:
I've read other posts from fellow rooted ftv users reporting the same thing. It would seem as if directv is following suit with PSVue in blocking rooted firetvs. It could be possible that it just won't run on any fireos older than 5.2.2.0
.
Click to expand...

I was able to get the PSVue up and running using RootCloak but ended up cancelling it due to them ditching Viacom.
 
E

eureca

Member
Nov 27, 2012
22
3
I tried Hide My Root 4.0 on a nexus 6 with android 7.0 and the app i guess doesn't work on on 7.0. Which makes sense since it hasn't been updated since 2013. It can't find my root at all.

I ended up just unrooting to try directtv now since I am currently not using the root for anything specific, but obviously I am going to want to root my phone again. Hopefully there is something found to bypass this on android 7.0.

Not even sure why they want to stop root users. I paid just like everyone else. Why crap on us? I am definitely less likely to recommend the service in the future.
 
spotmark

spotmark

Senior Member
Feb 18, 2010
3,286
1,843
Massachusetts
eureca said:
I tried Hide My Root 4.0 on a nexus 6 with android 7.0 and the app i guess doesn't work on on 7.0. Which makes sense since it hasn't been updated since 2013. It can't find my root at all.

I ended up just unrooting to try directtv now since I am currently not using the root for anything specific, but obviously I am going to want to root my phone again. Hopefully there is something found to bypass this on android 7.0.

Not even sure why they want to stop root users. I paid just like everyone else. Why crap on us? I am definitely less likely to recommend the service in the future.
Click to expand...

I believe I saw someone post that Sony does it as well with Vue.
 
A

anips

Member
Jul 30, 2011
27
4
I unrooted my phone just so I could test it out, but it still doesn't work for me because I'm on CM13.1 and I think there is a check on Cyanogen too? That really sucks, I hope someone figures a way around it.
 
L

loloudoudara

Member
Feb 29, 2012
37
14
I've tried using RootCloak with the keyword 'cyanogen' added to the blacklist as well as the string 'com.att.tv' added to the list of apps to block, alas without any success.

I also tried suhide with a fresh install of Marshmallow and systemless root, but it didn't work.

I am currently running 6.0.1, rooted 2.76, with Xposed installed.
 
Last edited:
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pdxmark78

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  • 5
    R
    rester555
    Here's the process I used:

    Disclaimer: This method is with phh superuser and magisk v9 with Magisk Manager 2.5 (haven't tried it on SuperSu, but might work with suhide). Also, my phone is a Nexus 6, I was on 7.1.1 Nitrogen OS build 12/06 with latest Dec. 5, 2016 android security patch.

    Before doing the steps, clear data and cache on your direcTV Now app

    1.) Flash the ROM, flash Gapps, flashed unSu to remove the ROM's built in Superuser, flashed magisk v9, flashed phh superuser r266-2, boot phone
    2.) Installed magisk manager.
    3.) Activated magiskhide through magisk manager
    4.) rebooted device
    5.) In magisk manager, went into magiskhide, checked off DirecTV Now app, checked off supersu
    6.) rebooted device
    7.) went into build.prop in /system
    8.) changed ro.build.type=userdebug to ro.build.type=user
    9.) changed ro.build.tags=test-keys to ro.build.tags=release-keys
    View
    3
    J
    jkchr1s
    Update: Thanks to spotmark's discovery, DirecTV Now is working with root.

    spotmark said:
    Hide My Root Apk works. :good:
    Click to expand...

    spotmark said:
    Just installed and hid SU. I'm rooted on 5.0.5. Did you clear cache and data on Now after you installed Hide My Root?
    Click to expand...

    There's a write-up and link to the apk for this on aftvnews: http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-use-directv-now-on-a-rooted-amazon-fire-tv-or-fire-tv-stick/

    If your rooted FireTV can't see the DirecTV Now app, use this link: https://www.amazon.com/AT-T-Services-Inc-DIRECTV/dp/B01J62Q632 and sign in to your Amazon account. On the right side, select your rooted device and click "Deliver".

    ----
    Original post:

    I signed up today for DirecTV Now only to be greeted on my FireTV with the following error:

    Code: 
    This video failed to load. Restart the app and launch your content again. Or search for Error 40 in the Help Center. (QP1005)

    Hrmm.. that's weird. So I looked up Error 40, and it says there's a network problem. I tried it on my non-rooted Nexus 6P and it worked flawlessly. So I jumped in to logcat and found some interesting messages:

    Code: 
    I/drm_oal ( 4862): IsDeviceRooted: 0x0000000000000002
    and
    Code: 
    D/NewRelicGateway(14071): ERROR event was recorded. Error description = Failed preparing the player because device security check failed due to: (FileSystem)(com.quickplay.vstb.core:1005)

    So I installed xposed and RootCloak 2 hoping it would help. I added it to the list of apps and it still had the same problem.

    Next thing I did was pull the apk from my Fire TV. After some digging, I found that lib/armeabi/libdrmagent_downloadable_jni.so had some interesting strings in it, including a check for Cyanogen:
    Code: 
    ro.build.product
ro.build.tags,release-keys,OnePlus3#%?OnePlus2#%?OnePlus#%?Z26CL#%?STUDIO_C,ro.build.type,user,#%?
ro.build.display.id,cm_,#%?,ro.build.display.id,cyanogen,#%?,ro.build.type,debug,#%?,ro.build.type,userdebug,#%?,ro.build.host,cyanogenmod,A0001#%?
    and a list of strings for paths it might check:
    Code: 
    /system/bin/su,#%?,/system/xbin/su,#%?,/sbin/su,#%?,/system/su,#%?,/system/bin/.ext/.su,#%?,/system/usr/we-need-root/su-backup,#%?,/system/xbin/mu,#%?
su,#%?,busybox,#%?
type %s
test -u `whence -p %s`
/data,#%?,/system,#%?,/system/bin,#%?,/system/sbin,#%?,/system/xbin,#%?,/vendor/bin,#%?,/sys,#%?,/sbin,#%?,/etc,#%?,/proc,#%?,/dev,#%?
/isdrmXXXXXX

    Why do they even care if you're rooted?? So lame...

    Since they appear to be checking for root in a C/C++ .so file, is Xposed useless here?
    View
    2
    A
    AtrixHDMan
    thegreat5p said:
    Anyone have a fix? i have tried multiple versions with no success. loading times are way to long. i hope someone has a fix for this. Id really appreciate someones help.
    Click to expand...
    https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/att-s...now-1-0-9-3205-android-apk-download/download/

    Sent from my LG-H830 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
    View
    1
    D
    d3adpool
    jkchr1s said:
    I signed up today for DirecTV Now only to be greeted on my FireTV with the following error:

    Code: 
    This video failed to load. Restart the app and launch your content again. Or search for Error 40 in the Help Center. (QP1005)

    Hrmm.. that's weird. So I looked up Error 40, and it says there's a network problem. I tried it on my non-rooted Nexus 6P and it worked flawlessly. So I jumped in to logcat and found some interesting messages:

    Code: 
    I/drm_oal ( 4862): IsDeviceRooted: 0x0000000000000002
    and
    Code: 
    D/NewRelicGateway(14071): ERROR event was recorded. Error description = Failed preparing the player because device security check failed due to: (FileSystem)(com.quickplay.vstb.core:1005)

    So I installed xposed and RootCloak 2 hoping it would help. I added it to the list of apps and it still had the same problem.

    Next thing I did was pull the apk from my Fire TV. After some digging, I found that lib/armeabi/libdrmagent_downloadable_jni.so had some interesting strings in it, including a check for Cyanogen:
    Code: 
    ro.build.product
ro.build.tags,release-keys,OnePlus3#%?OnePlus2#%?OnePlus#%?Z26CL#%?STUDIO_C,ro.build.type,user,#%?
ro.build.display.id,cm_,#%?,ro.build.display.id,cyanogen,#%?,ro.build.type,debug,#%?,ro.build.type,userdebug,#%?,ro.build.host,cyanogenmod,A0001#%?
    and a list of strings for paths it might check:
    Code: 
    /system/bin/su,#%?,/system/xbin/su,#%?,/sbin/su,#%?,/system/su,#%?,/system/bin/.ext/.su,#%?,/system/usr/we-need-root/su-backup,#%?,/system/xbin/mu,#%?
su,#%?,busybox,#%?
type %s
test -u `whence -p %s`
/data,#%?,/system,#%?,/system/bin,#%?,/system/sbin,#%?,/system/xbin,#%?,/vendor/bin,#%?,/sys,#%?,/sbin,#%?,/etc,#%?,/proc,#%?,/dev,#%?
/isdrmXXXXXX

    Why do they even care if you're rooted?? So lame...

    Since they appear to be checking for root in a C/C++ .so file, is Xposed useless here?
    Click to expand...
    I've read other posts from fellow rooted ftv users reporting the same thing. It would seem as if directv is following suit with PSVue in blocking rooted firetvs. It could be possible that it just won't run on any fireos older than 5.2.2.0
    .
    View
    1
    fr0st420
    fr0st420
    So the loading times are due to the latest version of DirecTV now? Reverting back to an old version fixes that?
    View

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