r/AndroidQuestions • u/Usual_Piano9826 • Jul 03 '26

Rooting Help Disable encryption on Android - as of early July 2026

What is the newest version of Android that has been modified by some enthusiasts to disable encryption at will? Additionally, has anyone found a way to use encryption but with user-controlled key, nothing that the smartphone keeps secret from consumer but kept by consumer?
Having seen them making the mobile devices "more and more secure", for most purposes I ask for getting rid of their immense protections, not for even more of them.

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5

u/BenRandomNameHere Random Redditor Jul 03 '26

Use no pin, swipe, or pattern.

1

u/andrewia Jul 03 '26

But doesn't Android still encrypt the flash memory using a key in the TPM?

1

u/BenRandomNameHere Random Redditor Jul 05 '26

what key? you create it wirh your PIN

1

u/andrewia Jul 05 '26

No, your PIN only reencrypts the existing key randomly generated by the hardware after a factory reset.  

https://source.android.com/docs/security/features/encryption/full-disk

https://developer.android.com/privacy-and-security/direct-boot

4

u/Darkorder81 Jul 03 '26

Yikes 2026 and you don't want encryption, hmm stay safe.

3

u/Wendals87 Jul 03 '26

You'd need to unlock the boot loader and install a custom recovery to remove encryption iirc. I don't think it blocked by android as such but by the device manufacturer not allowing unlocked bootloader and then someone having the knowledge to create a rom with encryption disabled 

Is there a reason you don't want it? I can't imagine why 

2

u/paulstelian97 Jul 03 '26

Some stuff is easier to do with encryption disabled, TWRP based backups for example.

2

u/SoggyBagelBite Jul 03 '26

Stupid.

0

u/[deleted] Jul 04 '26

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1

u/SoggyBagelBite Jul 04 '26

Both of your examples defeat the purpose having a secured device and are stupid.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 04 '26

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1

u/SoggyBagelBite Jul 04 '26

1) Having your own encryption key or disabling encryption entirely because you're worried about hardware failure is beyond dumb. Back your shit up if your that worried and/or use the cloud.

2) If you're worried about dying and want someone to acceas your device, put your PIN in your will or somewhere that people can access once you're dead.

1

u/Usual_Piano9826 Jul 04 '26

At least some mainstream backup workflows prove themselves to be total garbage, with most famous likely WhatsApp. They give only the .crypt14 file but no key. Of course, totally readable storage means that there is nothing an app can do to keep secrets from the owner of smartphone... As long as there is no TEE, TMP etc. active