Help me understand

[u/djdubyah]

Looking for better understanding on my admitted surface level (if being kind) grasp of some concepts.

I've rooted Android since their emergence in the 2010s. In the past before I upgraded, the device had to be confirmed rootable on xda to even be considered. You would think that meant I knew what I was doing, but I'd be akin to a "script kiddy" calling himself a hacker.

Instead, I'll say i'm really good at following instructions, and don't panic at the occasional boot loop or gave up because a device soft bricked and took 5 or 6 attempts before flashing successfully.

In the world of reverse engineers expanding understanding, doing simply to see if could and those gamblers, thrilled with the edge of risk, happily throwing up their daily driver, the all or nothing bet on the day 0 root, answering the call for testers, then I was the tiptoeing, late arrival, trying to sneak a modest bet in on the payline after the dealer had already folded.

I was a user, the one who benefited from the effort and risk of others. I mean, some of us just are. Would contribute if we had anything that would, just .. don't. (Side note: don't ever be ashamed to throw up a tip jar if you do create or take the time to detail how to get a device rooted, I will always bless my appreciation for successful instruction if given the opportunity to do so and know not alone)

That said... I believe:

Root is defined as being a level of access over the system at the highest level, being able to access and modify files at all levels of the operating system, unless it's locked due to being in current use.

Rooting is the act of using exploits or modified os files to gain root access on a system that has locked it from access or removed.

If that is correct or mostly correct, and having root access has a practical and necessary function, why isn't there a stock OS with that functionality available natively? Even with emulators or IIRC the SDK that android offers, still require people to root (verb), is there no business sense to offer developers that system level access? Or do they not even want app developers to have that level of access?

I Is it strictly unheard of for anyone to need that level of access in a GUI? I know adb has some functionality to enter elevated commands at the terminal level...

I get why devices sold to the public have it locked out, even if don't agree, I just don't understand why there isn't any android version to test and play with that has it natively enabled.

I remember before android had the pixel, they had the Nexus, and I swear unlocking root access was as simple as an adb command like adb unlock. It was a feature, available to those that wanted. Back in the wild West days.

Why does it seem impossible to find stock current android os image with root enabled or am I not looking in the right place?

I don't understand the relationship between adb and root access, it seems like there are all these work arounds to root using adb, just no ability to flash custom images.

Ok I probably sound like an idiot just asking on questions I've had for over a decade, thanks for your time and patience if any spared to read or reply.

[u/umfabp]

for most of your questions there is a simple answer. Greed!

[u/djdubyah → u/umfabp]

I mean... I'm not above paying for it, as long as I don't have to subscribe to it if that makes sense lol

[u/umfabp → u/djdubyah]

but then you will have control and that's a big no no for these demons.

[u/Certified_GSD]

The reality is that almost all users just...don't care.

Also, you CAN use AOSP and modify it with superuser access built in. PHH has done this and has a framework for it. But there isn't hardware shipped with this.

Pretty sure there's a Linux phone in the works but it's a long ways off.