Lost Strong Integrity 1 Hour Ago

We understand the immediate and critical concern regarding the sudden loss of strong integrity on your Android device. When you are managing a sophisticated rooting environment utilizing tools like Integrity Box, TrickyStore, Play Integrity Fix (PIF), and Zygisk Assistant, the stability of your device’s integrity state is paramount. The transition from a passing MEETS_STRONG_INTEGRITY verdict to a failing state is a common yet frustrating hurdle in the modern rooting landscape. We have analyzed this specific scenario extensively and provide a comprehensive, technical deep-dive into the mechanisms behind this failure and the precise steps required to restore it.

This article serves as a definitive guide to diagnosing and resolving the sudden loss of integrity. We will explore the interactions between kernel-level modules, hardware-backed attestation, and the Google Play Services environment. Our goal is to provide a structured pathway to regain the coveted strong integrity verdict, ensuring your device passes all safety net and Play Integrity API checks once again.

Understanding the Anatomy of Strong Integrity Loss

The loss of strong integrity is rarely the result of a single failure. It is usually a cascade of events triggered by changes in the Google Play Services backend, module configuration conflicts, or timing issues with the initialization of the rooting framework. To regain integrity, we must first understand the components at play.

The Hardware-Backed Attestation Challenge

Strong integrity is the highest level of assurance provided by the Play Integrity API. It requires a cryptographic attestation rooted in the device’s hardware Trusted Execution Environment (TEE). When Google’s servers request a verdict, they look for a signed attestation token generated by the device’s Keymaster hardware module. If the device is rooted, or if the bootloader is unlocked, the chain of trust is broken. Tools like TrickyStore work by intercepting these requests and providing a “spoofed” attestation token that mimics a genuine hardware-backed response. However, this spoofing is highly sensitive to the exact configuration of the target envelope and the version of the Play Services app.

The Role of Play Integrity Fix (PIF)

The Play Integrity Fix module (often referred to as PIF or chiteroman’s fix) plays a dual role. It modifies the device’s fingerprint to match a certified device that passes integrity checks. More importantly, in recent versions, it patches the integrity provider within the Google Play Services APK to bypass the hardware attestation requirements, forcing a software-based check or downgrading the attestation request. When integrity is lost “1 hour ago,” it often correlates with an automatic update to the Google Play Services or Play Store apps, which changes the internal code structure that PIF relies upon, rendering the existing patch ineffective.

The TrickyStore and Target Supply Mechanism

TrickyStore is the engine that actually serves the required keys to the Play Integrity API. It relies on a “Target” file (usually targets.xml) located in /data/misc/tricky_store/. This file lists the package names of the apps you want to spoof (e.g., com.google.android.gms for Play Services). If this file is empty, malformed, or if the keys provided do not match the specific security patch level of the device, TrickyStore will fail to provide a valid response, leading to a failure in strong integrity.

Immediate Diagnostic Steps

Before applying fixes, we must systematically diagnose the root cause. A “one size fits all” approach is ineffective in the current environment. We recommend the following diagnostic sequence.

Verify the Current Integrity Verdict

We need to confirm exactly what is failing. Do not rely on generic safety net checker apps. We recommend using a terminal emulator or ADB shell to run a manual check using a tool like playintegrityfix or the built-in diagnostic within the Integrity Box.

1. Check Basic Verdict: Look for MEETS_BASIC_INTEGRITY.
2. Check Strong Verdict: Look for MEETS_STRONG_INTEGRITY.
3. Analyze the Response: If MEETS_BASIC_INTEGRITY passes but MEETS_STRONG_INTEGRITY fails, the issue is specifically with the hardware attestation bypass (TrickyStore/Keys). If both fail, the issue is likely with the device fingerprint or Play Services patching (PIF).

Inspecting Module Logs

Detailed logs are essential for debugging.

• Magisk Log: Check the Magisk log for any errors during the boot process related to zygisk or riru.
• TrickyStore Logs: TrickyStore usually logs its activity. Check if it is successfully loading the targets.xml and the keys.
• Integrity Box Log: This is often the most useful. It provides a real-time breakdown of the attestation request and response. Look for errors indicating “KEY_NOT_FOUND” or “INVALID_SIGNATURE.”

Analyzing Google Play Services Version

Google Play Services is the variable that changes most frequently without user consent. An auto-update overnight is the most common reason for a sudden loss of integrity “1 hour ago.” We need to verify if the currently installed version of com.google.android.gms is compatible with the patches currently applied by PIF.

Restoring Strong Integrity: The Configuration Strategy

Once the diagnostics are complete, we proceed with the restoration process. This involves a coordinated adjustment of Zygisk, PIF, TrickyStore, and Integrity Box.

Step 1: Resetting the TrickyStore Target Supply

The integrity token validation relies heavily on the keys supplied by TrickyStore. We have observed that invalid or outdated keys are a primary cause of sudden failures.

1. Navigate to the TrickyStore module configuration within the Magisk app or via a root file explorer.
2. Locate the TrickyStore working directory (usually /data/adb/tricky_store).
3. Delete the target.txt or targets.xml file if it exists. Also, clear the contents of the /data/misc/tricky_store/ directory if TrickyStore is using that path.
4. Reboot the device. TrickyStore should regenerate the configuration.
5. Use Integrity Box to re-supply keys. In Integrity Box, go to the TrickyStore settings and select “Supply keys for GMS.” Ensure you also supply keys for the Play Store (com.android.vending) and potentially the Target Envelope if using that specific method.

Step 2: Updating Play Integrity Fix (PIF) Fingerprint

If the fingerprint used by PIF has been revoked or if it corresponds to a device that no longer meets the security requirements (e.g., an older security patch date), strong integrity will fail.

1. Open the Play Integrity Fix module configuration.
2. We recommend using the built-in updater within the module (if available) to fetch a fresh, working fingerprint.
3. Alternatively, manually edit the pif.json file. You must select a fingerprint from a device that has the same or newer Security Patch Level as your current device.
   • Example: If your device is patched with the March 2024 security patch, the fingerprint you select must be from a device that also has at least March 2024.
4. Save the changes and reboot.

Step 3: Configuring Integrity Box (IB)

Integrity Box acts as the central manager for the attestation process. It orchestrates the interaction between the OS and TrickyStore.

1. Spoofing Provider: Ensure Integrity Box is set to use TrickyStore as the spoofing provider.
2. Force Basic Integrity: You may toggle this option temporarily to verify if the device passes basic checks, but for strong integrity, this should generally be off or set to auto.
3. Re-evaluate: Use the “Re-evaluate” feature in Integrity Box to trigger a new attestation request immediately after making changes. This allows for rapid iteration without rebooting (though a reboot is always recommended for a clean state).

Step 4: Zygisk Assistant Configuration

Zygisk Assistant is crucial for hiding root traces from the Play Services. If Zygisk Assistant is not configured correctly, the Play Integrity API will detect the Zygisk framework directly, bypassing all spoofing efforts.

1. Ensure “Zygisk” is enabled in Magisk Settings.
2. Open Zygisk Assistant settings.
3. Enforce DenyList: Enable this for Google Play Services, Google Play Store, and any banking apps. Crucially, the “Enforce DenyList” must target the core components of GMS.
4. Module Hiding: Ensure Zygisk Assistant is actively hiding the Magisk app and other modules from the target apps. This prevents GMS from detecting the presence of magisk or riru files in memory.

Advanced Troubleshooting for Persistent Failures

If the standard restoration steps do not work, the issue may be deeper, requiring advanced intervention.

Handling Hardware Attestation Enforcement

Google is constantly updating its attestation server requirements. In some regions and for some devices, Google enforces strict hardware attestation that cannot be bypassed via standard software patches.

• The Unlocked Bootloader Issue: If your bootloader is unlocked, hardware attestation will always flag the device as UNLOCKED_BOOTLOADER in the verdict details. Strong integrity requires the device to be locked. While TrickyStore attempts to mask this, some newer Pixel devices or devices with the latest Play Integrity API updates have made this extremely difficult.
• Solution - Shamiko: If you are using Magisk, consider using the Shamiko module. Shamiko is a companion module to Zygisk that provides advanced root hiding capabilities. Unlike standard DenyList, Shamiko works in the background to unmount mount points, making it much harder for GMS to detect system modifications. Ensure Shamiko is configured to hide TrickyStore and PIF files.

Checking SELinux Contexts

Sometimes, file permission errors or incorrect SELinux contexts prevent TrickyStore from accessing the keys or PIF from patching the Play Services APK.

1. Use a terminal to check the context of the TrickyStore directory: ls -Z /data/adb/tricky_store
2. The context should typically be u:object_r:system_file:s0 or similar. If it is u:object_r:unlabeled:s0, it may cause issues.
3. Run the following command to reset the context recursively (if needed, but proceed with caution): chcon -R u:object_r:system_file:s0 /data/adb/tricky_store

The “Google Play Services Update” Loop

If Google Play Services updates automatically, it replaces the patched integrity provider with a clean one. To prevent this:

1. Freeze Google Play Services: Use a system app manager or a module like WALLET (Universal Android Debloater) or a simple freezer app to freeze com.google.android.gms and com.google.android.gms.unstable.
2. Disable Auto-Updates: Go to the Play Store settings and disable auto-updates for apps.
3. Re-patch: After an update does occur, you must re-apply the PIF patch to the new APK version. This is often the root cause of “sudden” integrity loss—the update happened in the background, and the patch became obsolete instantly.

Specific Interactions: Integrity Box and TrickyStore

The synergy between Integrity Box and TrickyStore is the cornerstone of modern rooting. We must ensure they are not conflicting.

Priority Management

Magisk loads modules in alphabetical order. If there is a conflict in service initialization, integrity checks may fail.

• Ensure Integrity Box and TrickyStore are both enabled.
• If using a “systemless” host module for ad blocking, ensure it does not interfere with the network requests GMS makes to the attestation server.

Key Generation and Supply

TrickyStore requires valid keys to sign the attestation payload. If the keys are missing:

1. Open Integrity Box.
2. Navigate to the “TrickyStore” tab.
3. Select “Supply Keys.” This action generates new RSA keys and populates the targets.xml file.
4. We have found that supplying keys specifically for com.google.android.gms and com.android.vending simultaneously yields the best results for strong integrity.

Target Envelope vs. Standard Spoofing

TrickyStore has two modes: Standard (serving keys to specific apps) and Target Envelope (a universal envelope method).

• If you are losing integrity, try switching the method. If you were using Standard, try generating a Target Envelope.
• The Target Envelope method modifies the framework to intercept attestation requests at a lower level. This is often more resilient to Play Services updates. Integrity Box has a dedicated feature to “Create Target Envelope.” Use this, then reboot.

Maintaining Integrity Long-Term

Regaining integrity is only half the battle; maintaining it requires vigilance.

Managing OTA Updates

Do not install Over-The-Air (OTA) updates without preparation. An OTA update will overwrite the Magisk module (if installed to init_boot or boot), remove root, and reset system modifications.

1. Download the OTA but do not install it immediately.
2. Reboot to recovery and install the OTA.
3. Immediately re-flash the Magisk APK to the inactive slot (or init_boot depending on your device) to retain root.
4. Re-configure PIF and TrickyStore, as the OS version and security patch level will have changed.

Network and DNS Considerations

The Play Integrity API communicates with https://play.googleapis.com. If you are using a custom DNS (like AdGuard DNS or NextDNS) that blocks certain tracking domains, it might inadvertently block the attestation endpoints.

• Temporarily disable any DNS-based ad blocking to test integrity.
• If you require ad blocking, whitelist the Google Play Services domains or use a hosts file that does not interfere with play.googleapis.com or android.clients.google.com.

Version Pinning

To avoid future “sudden” losses, consider “pinning” or freezing your working configuration.

1. Freeze Play Services: Once you achieve strong integrity, freeze the Play Services and Play Store versions. Do not update them until you have confirmed in the community (e.g., XDA, Telegram groups) that the new version is compatible with the current PIF and TrickyStore versions.
2. Backup Configuration: Backup your pif.json, targets.xml, and Magisk module list. If integrity fails, you can restore these files to a known working state immediately.

Scenario-Based Solutions

Depending on your specific device and root setup, different approaches may be required.

Scenario A: Pixel Devices (Stock ROM)

Pixel devices have the strictest hardware attestation.

• Recommendation: Use TrickyStore with the Target Envelope method.
• Requirement: You must use a fingerprint from another Pixel device with a similar or newer security patch level.
• Critical: Ensure Zygisk Assistant is aggressively hiding the Magisk mount points. Google Play Services on Pixels checks for mount points aggressively.

Scenario B: Custom ROMs (LineageOS, etc.)

Custom ROMs often have a different build fingerprint and security patch dates.

• Recommendation: Use Integrity Box to manually set the device fingerprint to a stock ROM equivalent.
• Note: Custom ROMs might lack the specific vendor libraries required for strong attestation. In this case, you may need to port those libraries or accept that only MEETS_BASIC_INTEGRITY is achievable. However, with TrickyStore, strong integrity is often still possible.

Scenario C: Legacy Devices (A/B Slot or Pre-Zygisk)

Older devices may require Riru instead of Zygisk.

• Recommendation: If using Riru, ensure Riru-Integrity or a compatible module is used alongside TrickyStore. Note that the ecosystem is moving toward Zygisk, and support for Riru is waning. Updating to Zygisk-compatible modules is highly recommended for long-term stability.

Final Verification and Testing

After applying the restoration steps, we must verify the success of the operation.

Using Basic Integrity as a Baseline

First, confirm MEETS_BASIC_INTEGRITY. If this passes, the root hiding (Zygisk Assistant) and fingerprint (PIF) are working. The failure is isolated to the hardware attestation (TrickyStore).

Checking Strong Integrity Verdict

Use the Integrity Box app to run a check.

• Success: MEETS_STRONG_INTEGRITY = true.
• Partial Success: MEETS_BASIC_INTEGRITY = true and MEETS_STRONG_INTEGRITY = false. This indicates a TrickyStore or key issue.
• Failure: Both false. This indicates a Zygisk hiding issue or a PIF fingerprint mismatch.

Testing Dependent Apps

Do not rely solely on the verdict check. Open the specific apps that prompted the investigation (e.g., Banking apps, Google Wallet, Snapchat, Pokémon GO).

• If these apps open without errors, the integrity restoration is successful.
• If Google Wallet fails to add a card, despite strong integrity passing, you may need to clear the “Credential Manager” data or use a specific Magisk module to hide the unlocked bootloader state from the Wallet app specifically.

Conclusion

Losing strong integrity “1 hour ago” is a solvable problem, but it requires a methodical approach. The root cause is almost always a mismatch between the Google Play Services update and the currently applied patches in Play Integrity Fix or TrickyStore.

We recommend a full cycle of diagnosis and restoration:

1. Update Play Integrity Fix fingerprints.
2. Reset and re-supply keys in TrickyStore via Integrity Box.
3. Ensure Zygisk Assistant is enforcing the DenyList correctly.
4. Reboot and verify.

By maintaining strict control over your module configurations and staying vigilant regarding Google Play Services updates, you can maintain strong integrity stability. The cat-and-mouse game between root detection and bypassing is ongoing, but with the tools currently available—Integrity Box, TrickyStore, PIF, and Zygisk Assistant—you have a robust arsenal to ensure your device passes all integrity checks.