Google’s May 2025 update to the Play Integrity API now enforces hardware-backed security checks by default, making it significantly harder for users with rooted devices or custom ROMs to access certain apps. These stricter checks verify bootloader status, device certification, and recent security patches, impacting many apps such as those for banking, gaming, or payments. While the update enhances app security and reduces abuse, it inadvertently blocks legitimate power users and those on outdated devices, as older workarounds are no longer effective.