rr3-apk/KILLSWITCH-REMOVAL-GUIDE.md

🔓 RR3 Killswitch Removal Guide

Version: 14.0.1 Ultimate Edition
Purpose: Bypass EA's server-controlled killswitch to keep RR3 playable after March 2026 shutdown
Status: ✅ Successfully bypassed in v14 Ultimate APK

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🎯 What is the Killswitch?

EA added a server-controlled killswitch to Real Racing 3 v14 that allows them to remotely disable the game without pushing an update.

How It Works

1. Startup Check: Game calls EA's Director API on every launch

   POST https://director.ea.com/director/api/android/getDirectionByPackage
   

2. Server Response:

   {
     "appUpgrade": 0  // 0=OK, 1=Update Recommended, 2=Update REQUIRED (blocks game)
   }
   

3. Game Enforcement:

   • File: com/ea/nimble/EnvironmentDataContainer.smali
   • Method: getLatestAppVersionCheckResult()
   • Returns: 0 (OK), 1 (Warning), or 2 (BLOCKED)

4. Result: When EA sets appUpgrade=2, game refuses to launch

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💣 The Threat

When EA shuts down RR3 service in late March 2026:

❌ Stock APK will receive appUpgrade=2
❌ Game will display "Update Required" message
❌ No update will be available (service ended)
❌ Game becomes permanently unplayable

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✅ The Community Fix

We surgically removed the killswitch by patching one single method in the EA Nimble SDK.

Technical Details

File: smali_classes2/com/ea/nimble/EnvironmentDataContainer.smali
Method: getLatestAppVersionCheckResult() (line 648)

Before (Original Code - 88 lines)

.method public getLatestAppVersionCheckResult()I
    .locals 6

    # Complex logic checking m_getDirectionResponseDictionary
    # Gets "appUpgrade" value from server response
    # Returns 0, 1, or 2 based on server's decision
    # If server says 2 (BLOCKED), game refuses to start
    
    # ... 80+ lines of code ...
    
    return v0  # Could be 0, 1, or 2
.end method

After (Patched Code - 20 lines)

.method public getLatestAppVersionCheckResult()I
    .locals 1

    # KILLSWITCH DISABLED BY COMMUNITY MOD
    # Original code checked server's "appUpgrade" field (0=OK, 1=Recommended, 2=Required)
    # This patch always returns 0 (APP_VERSION_OK) to bypass EA's March shutdown
    # Game will continue working even after EA servers go offline
    
    .line 180
    invoke-static {p0}, Lcom/ea/nimble/Log$Helper;->LOGPUBLICFUNC(Ljava/lang/Object;)V

    const-string v0, "RealRacing3"

    const-string v1, "🔓 Killswitch bypassed - returning APP_VERSION_OK (community mod)"

    invoke-static {v0, v1}, Landroid/util/Log;->i(Ljava/lang/String;Ljava/lang/String;)I

    const/4 v0, 0x0  # Always return 0 (APP_VERSION_OK)

    return v0
.end method

What Changed?

1. ✅ Removed all 80+ lines of server response checking
2. ✅ Hardcoded return value to 0 (APP_VERSION_OK)
3. ✅ Added debug log message for verification
4. ✅ Method now ignores server's killswitch command

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🔬 Why This Works

Compiled Code is Immutable

• Smali bytecode → DEX → Machine code = PERMANENT
• EA can only change DATA (server responses)
• EA CANNOT change compiled METHOD CODE
• Our patch modifies the METHOD itself (not data)
• Even if server sends appUpgrade=2, our code ignores it

No Hot-Patching in RR3

Investigated potential remote code injection:

• ❌ No DexClassLoader in EA Nimble code
• ❌ No dynamic method replacement
• ❌ No code download mechanisms
• ✅ Firebase Remote Config = data only, not code
• ✅ Director API = configuration only, not code

Verdict: EA physically cannot revert our patch remotely

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📊 Testing Verification

How to Verify Patch Works

1. Check Logcat: Look for this message on startup:

   I/RealRacing3: 🔓 Killswitch bypassed - returning APP_VERSION_OK (community mod)
   

2. Test Airplane Mode:

   • Enable airplane mode
   • Launch game
   • Should start normally (no network check)

3. Simulate EA Shutdown:

   • Block director.ea.com in hosts file
   • Game still launches (ignores server check)

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🛠️ How to Apply This Patch

Option 1: Use Pre-Built APK (Recommended)

Download RR3-v14.0.1-Ultimate-SIGNED.apk from releases

Option 2: Manual Patching

1. Decompile APK:

   apktool d RealRacing3-v14.0.1.apk -o rr3-workspace
   

2. Replace Method:

   • Open: rr3-workspace/smali_classes2/com/ea/nimble/EnvironmentDataContainer.smali
   • Find: .method public getLatestAppVersionCheckResult()I (line 648)
   • Replace entire method with patched code (see above)

3. Rebuild APK:

   apktool b -n -o rr3-patched.apk rr3-workspace
   

4. Sign APK:

   apksigner sign --ks your-keystore.keystore \
     --ks-key-alias your-alias \
     --out rr3-patched-signed.apk \
     rr3-patched.apk
   

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🎮 v14 Ultimate Edition Features

The patched APK includes:

✅ Killswitch Removed - Works after EA shutdown
✅ Offline Mode - Play without internet
✅ Unlimited Currency - 100M M$, 10M Gold
✅ All Events Unlocked - Special events offline
✅ Startup Crash Fixed - Delayed initialization
✅ Latest Features - v14 game content

---

📁 File Structure

rr3-apk/
├── smali_classes2/
│   └── com/
│       └── ea/
│           └── nimble/
│               └── EnvironmentDataContainer.smali  # PATCHED FILE (line 648)
│
├── KILLSWITCH-REMOVAL-GUIDE.md                     # This document
└── AndroidManifest.xml                             # Version: 14.0.1

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⚠️ Important Notes

Legal & Safety

• ✅ Modding APKs for personal use is legal
• ✅ Does not bypass DRM or piracy protection
• ✅ Only removes server shutdown mechanism
• ❌ Do not distribute on Play Store
• ✅ Share freely with community

Compatibility

• ✅ Works on Android 5.0+ (API 21+)
• ✅ Compatible with v13 saves (same signing key)
• ✅ Can upgrade from v13 modded APK
• ❌ Cannot upgrade from stock EA version (different signature)

What Doesn't Work

• ❌ Online multiplayer (EA servers offline)
• ❌ Leaderboards (server-dependent)
• ❌ Live events (requires EA servers)
• ✅ Everything else works offline

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🤝 Community Impact

Before Patch

• Stock APK stops working March 2026
• Players lose access to purchased content
• No official alternative provided by EA
• Community loses years of progress

After Patch

• ✅ Game works indefinitely
• ✅ Progress preserved locally
• ✅ All cars/tracks accessible
• ✅ Special events available offline
• ✅ Community continues thriving

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📞 Support & Questions

Discord: Project Real Resurrection 3
Gitea Repository: https://gitea.barrer.net/project-real-resurrection-3/rr3-apk
Branch: killswitch-killer

Common Questions

Q: Can EA revert this patch remotely?
A: No. Compiled bytecode is immutable. See technical analysis above.

Q: Will this work after March 2026?
A: Yes! That's the entire point. Game ignores server shutdown.

Q: Is this safe?
A: Yes. Only modifies one method. No malware, no data collection.

Q: Can I sync progress with friends?
A: Not via EA servers (offline). Community server in development.

Q: What about future updates?
A: EA won't release updates after March. This is final version.

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📜 Version History

• v14.0.1-Ultimate (Feb 2026): Killswitch removed, offline features added
• v14.0.1-Stock (2024): Original EA version with killswitch
• v13.x (2023): Pre-killswitch versions (no bypass needed)

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🎉 Credits

Development: GitHub Copilot CLI + Community
Testing: Project Real Resurrection 3 Discord
Preservation: Community asset archival effort
Infrastructure: Gitea hosting (gitea.barrer.net)

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🏁 Keep Racing! The community will never let this game die. 🏁