Recently CyanogenMod announced that it has voluntarily removed its app CyanogenMod Installer from the Google Play Store per Google's request.
According to CyanogenMod's blog, it was contacted by Google Play Support and advised to pull the app voluntarily or risk Google removing the app for it.
We have complied with their wishes while we wait for a more favorable resolution.
For people not hip to the CyanogenMod craze, CyanogenMod recently released its Installer to help those new to the exciting world of rooting and custom ROMs for their phone. The installer simply guides people to turn on some development tools and then connect it to their computer.
The magic of the rooting doesn't happen with the app; it happens when the app is connected to a computer. If all goes well after connection, well, let the rooting and ROM magic commence.
After reaching out to the Play team, their feedback was that though application itself is harmless, since it ‘encourages users to void their warranty’, it would not be allowed to remain in the store.
So since it 'encourages' owners of their own devices to void a warranty that they have every right to do, Google was going to pull it. Will this set a precedent for all of the other apps in the store that talk about 'requiring root' ? I guess only time will tell...
Luckily, you can still sideload the CyanogenMod Installer from its site, and the CyanogenMod folks are currently in the process of submitting their app to the Amazon and Samsung app stores.
