a persistent notification is no longer required. A key icon in the status bar is the only indication you get that the VPN is enabled
You still get the key icon. Is the fuss that it now takes more screen taps to reach the on/off, rather than just using the persistent notification?
The fuss is that 3rd party apps need a persistent notification to stay alive. But, because Google owns pixels, it can skip that step and be less intrusive/visible, which others can not.
Cite your sources because that's not how persistent notification works. PIA doesn't need it. It sounds like a poorly written app.
Edit: DNS66 as well.
[This comment has been deleted by an automated system]
Because (from what I've read) battery optimization may still kill them, depending on the phone.
I checked playstore reviews of wireguard, and people are complaining that wireguard stops working after a while. Which makes me think. For wider compatibility and persistent background tasks, you do need one to stay alive.
If they’re root, they already can. Like Google Play and other root/system apps that can install apps without the pop-up.
It is an obvious double measure but it’s been around for a long time, and it’s not too insecure or annoying unless manufacturers install malware as system apps and/or disallow locking the boatloader (they do, sadly).
Fun reminder that the Facebook system apps included on many phones can do that too. Look for system apps called "Facebook Bridge", "Facebook stub", "Facebook App Installer", "Facebook App Manager" etc.
Don't you mean: Meta app installer, meta app manager, meta services, etc.
That's what I meant - if Google's own stuff is allowed to run in the background then third-party stuff should be allowed too.
I would not like everything to run as root. But an option to root your phone without too much hassle and make any changes to app permissions would be great.
Fortunately, Pixel is easy to root these days with Magisk.
Well, kind of easy. Takes a little technical ability, but the documentation is solid.