Develop Bugs

Why do you root?

Hello everyone,
I have a simple question that I have yet to come across a decent answer too.
What is the main or real reason people root there phone for.
Is it basically like jailbreaking the iPhone or are theredifferent reasons?
I've bought my EVO 4G about a month ago and have been waiting for a root for the gingerbread 2.3.3 update that came stock with my phone.
The reason I'm asking this is should I really be waiting for a root? In other words why am I waiting for a root?
I personally love the phone as it is and I have had no problems with it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

I recommend not rooting if you are asking those questions. I'm not trying to be rude at all.
Root is the name of the admin account in the Linux and Unix operating systems. Think of not having root as running in protected mode.
If you accept the responsibility of maintaining your own security, and don't mind invalidating your warranty then it is for you.
I didn't decide to root until one of the OTA updates from sprint forced a trial video game down my throat that couldn't be uninstalled.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

Oh I forgot to add, if you are planning on rooting I highly recommend loading the ROM MIUI.
A forwarding, however, 4G has not been implemented yet. Not a downside for me though. I rarely used 4G. The 3G here is fast enough.
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I root due to the need to remove "everything" that "they" put in. If you do not understand you are one of "them"

Thank you for the reply I understand what root is as I run blackbuntu on my desktop.
I wanna know what makes it different. Why are so many people wanting root on the EVO?
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Some people do not like HTC Sense. Some of the Sense based custom rom's run smoother than the stock rom's.
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Because people want to truely have control of the content on their phone
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I understand that, but what I don't understand is why would people sell there phone and trade it in and all just because they don't have root.
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Trytohaxme said:
I understand that, but what I don't understand is why would people sell there phone and trade it in and all just because they don't have root.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because not having root drains the battery faster because of the Sprint Bloatware. Also having root lets you control you phone and do what you please with it like flashing custom roms and kernals and radios and other groovy stuff.
My main reason I want root is not only to get rid of the bloatware but that way I can have a unique phone and not like 80% of everyone else who has a stock EVO

My reason was so I could have total control of my phone, streamline it by removing the stuff I don't need, freeing up memory and storage space, modifying it to look how I want it to, coaxing a faster, smoother phone and being able to try out different setups to see which gives me the best performance.
I never use thethering.

HipKat said:
My reason was so I could have total control of my phone, streamline it by removing the stuff I don't need, freeing up memory and storage space, modifying it to look how I want it to, coaxing a faster, smoother phone and being able to try out different setups to see which gives me the best performance.
I never use thethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. Same reason except I tether from time to time
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I root for the custom roms and kernels. I'm a synergy fanboy but its close to stock. Check out YouTube, look for an MIUI video, its truly amazing.
sent from my synergized supersonic

Because AOSP is how it should be.
And that rhymes too.

mattykinsx said:
Because AOSP is how it should be.
And that rhymes too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, he has a valid point. People like AOSP, some people like sense. Rooting let's you pick 'n' choose. Not being "stuck" in stock. I love my phone heavily themed, the eye candy sets it away from my friends phone. Plus my battery life/performance are much greater. But of course there are lots of reason to root and not to.
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I root because I own the damn device.
Everything I do with that root access is secondary to that.

Well I would love to get rid of all the bloatware and the time sound delicious.
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Because the ladies love it
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

I rooted for the ability to tether. It also comes in handy when you need to replace a file like the flash file so that I can watch hulu on my browser. Another thing I should point out, HDMwIn allows me to mirror my display (no limits) over to my tv. With stock and no root, I can only display videos/pictures I recorded myself.
If anything, once they find a way to root 2.3.3, you should try it. Then if you don't like it, you can always set it back to oem status. There's a guide somewhere here.
Sent from my PC36100

I root for mobile hotspot.
29.99 to tether with Sprint's 3G? bah, haha, ha, ha-ha

Being able to fix security holes and update your phone yourself is another big upside to having root; you can make sure it's secure yourself without having to wait forever for an update that may or may not come. That also happens to be one of the reasons why you will not see MIUI on my phone.

Will this phone every get a more conventional root?

Coming from HTC/Motorola phones primarily the development for this phone has confused me a bit. Those phones used to get a normal root method pretty soon after release without having to worry about messing around the kernal.
Is there going to be a day where you can just root it and leave the kernal alone or is the kernal/root thing exclusive to Samsung phones?

Whsn i was on att i would use superoneclick. I too was wondering this.
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We need this.
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The root for this phone is as easy as it gets. I just rooted my friends inspire and while it is only one click the process it goes through us way more complex.
Samsung Galaxy S II

stangdriverdoug said:
The root for this phone is as easy as it gets. I just rooted my friends inspire and while it is only one click the process it goes through us way more complex.
Samsung Galaxy S II
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I have to say this was a very easy process to root coming from an evo4g
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I think he meant the fact that ur using the kernel to get to root instaed the more conventional root method we are used to seeing on devices like htc and so on. It is pretty strange the fact u flash a kernel and then flash to get root its typically gain root then flash somethingy. Or at least thats what my noob ass is used to lol
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stangdriverdoug said:
The root for this phone is as easy as it gets. I just rooted my friends inspire and while it is only one click the process it goes through us way more complex.
Samsung Galaxy S II
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the root methods are simple to execute for someone who can read. But I am referring to the fact (as edison said) that you have to flash a new kernal to achieve root. I'm personally waiting for a more typical root method before I root.
Not that I don't appreciate/love the dev community but I like a COMPLETE stock setup with root before I go messing around experimenting because I don't necessarily trust EVERY dev and don't have the technical expertise to fix stuff myself.

Only solution is to just wait, I don't think many would be working on another root method because this one isn't complex, is noob friendly and works 100% I don't see any pressing reason for another method
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Yup I hear ya. You can always root then odin bubbys pulled stock kernel for a complete stock root. It's not one click but it's close. Only draw back it there is no recovery.
Samsung Galaxy S II

Conventional root?
What is that?

Umm...there is no other way? There's no exploit anymore guys...it's either flash a rooted kernel or flash a rooted /system. And that's easy as hell
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Unless you can get hold of Samsung's signing keys for creating a signed update.zip or find a new exploit (which would have to be fixed eventually because exploits are essentially security holes) you are pretty much stuck with the current methods.
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squshy 7 said:
Umm...there is no other way? There's no exploit anymore guys...it's either flash a rooted kernel or flash a rooted /system. And that's easy as hell
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Click to collapse
Wow,so no more one click roost with cwm then we can flash any kernel and be good? Shizznit, one click was good stuff
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I miss z4root. Im not a newber but I know I like my simplicity redundantly simple.
Sent from my SPH-D710 Galaxy S II [suck it]

Honestly odin is pretty the one click we need.
.: sent from my Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch :.

Dude samsung released the source and practically handed us root on a silver platter
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gpgorbosjr said:
All the root methods are simple to execute for someone who can read. But I am referring to the fact (as edison said) that you have to flash a new kernal to achieve root. I'm personally waiting for a more typical root method before I root.
Not that I don't appreciate/love the dev community but I like a COMPLETE stock setup with root before I go messing around experimenting because I don't necessarily trust EVERY dev and don't have the technical expertise to fix stuff myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why should anyone find a exploit to root the phone when the bootloader
Is open and allows you to root much easier....google keeps closing holes in software making it harder and harder to root ...its not a htc where they s-off the phone .....this will probably be the only way to root because there is no reason to find another
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What could be easier than putting this in Odin http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1282415 and hitting the start button

I think the point people are trying to make here is that they wish there was a way to have root and recovery and remain bone stock. So far there is no way to do this. Alot of people don't want to flash a custom kernel at this point because of all the problems people are reporting. Myself included. I am still stock and won't root until devs get this stuff sorted. Maybe koush will figure it out...
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It's not really clear from the titles in the development section, but there is a way to root without flashing a kernel.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1282418
That's a stock system image, simply modified to include root. No kernel at all.

How many of you are not rooted?

Just wondering.....that is all. I don't have the knowledge or the "need to" to root my phone does everything I want it to, so I never rooted.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app

I rooted my s2 as soon as I got last year. I've run many roms. My favorite was Juggs 5.0. When ICS officially came out, I Odin to stock ICS. I rooted it so I could add my 15 toggle panel back on. There are a few apps I had that required root. I'm eager to get some JellyBean on it though. I did flash the google now and google ears. Those are pretty cool.

droptopMP said:
Just wondering.....that is all. I don't have the knowledge or the "need to" to root my phone does everything I want it to, so I never rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, still running stock ICS. If Jellybean is as smooth as they say and we get an official release, I may not ever root. At least not any time soon ...
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I'm pretty sure we're all rooted. Why would anyone come to xda? And what good is xda to a non rooted phone? Just sayen'
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^This.

RushAOZ said:
I'm pretty sure we're all rooted. Why would anyone come to xda? And what good is xda to a non rooted phone? Just sayen'
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I come here, even though I am on the stock ROM on my current phone, to keep up with custom development for my phone. Even though I may not choose to load any of the ROMs or other mods provided here, it is still an excellent learning and news resource.

sgalbincea said:
I come here, even though I am on the stock ROM on my current phone, to keep up with custom development for my phone. Even though I may not choose to load any of the ROMs or other mods provided here, it is still an excellent learning and news resource.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's like going to culinary school then never stepping foot in a kitchen.......
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droptopMP said:
Just wondering.....that is all. I don't have the knowledge or the "need to" to root my phone does everything I want it to, so I never rooted.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's unrooted mean?

sirdowski said:
That's like going to culinary school then never stepping foot in a kitchen.......
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Click to collapse
Haha good analogy. Also if didn't want to root and tinker, I'd probably own a iPhone. But to each their own.
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badaphooko01 said:
Haha good analogy. Also if didn't want to root and tinker, I'd probably own a iPhone. But to each their own.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A jailbroken ifone is still gay. I'll rock a stock android over that crap.

sgalbincea said:
I come here, even though I am on the stock ROM on my current phone, to keep up with custom development for my phone. Even though I may not choose to load any of the ROMs or other mods provided here, it is still an excellent learning and news resource.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's not knock this guy's choice to not root. At least he's here, following development and learning. How many "HELPPPP MY PHONE IS BRICKED!!!!!" threads have you seen? I'd say this guy wouldn't be one of those people if he tried to.
As for the OP I'm glad you had the sense to realize that without the know how, there's no point in risking it.
I rooted on day one, but to each his own
(Edit to clean up the wording. I'm high lol)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989

sgalbincea said:
I come here, even though I am on the stock ROM on my current phone, to keep up with custom development for my phone. Even though I may not choose to load any of the ROMs or other mods provided here, it is still an excellent learning and news resource.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. My last phone (LG P500), which has now gone to my wife, is rooted and I like to stay tuned to developments for it as well. I expect that I'll root once I get 4.1 for my T989D (assuming it comes), then see what custom ROMs can offer beyond that. I've been reading these forums for over a month now to learn the procedures and of potential pitfalls so I don't wreck my phone when the time comes.
This phone is quite a step up from the P500, so I'm pretty happy without root for the time being.

mulletcutter said:
A jailbroken ifone is still gay. I'll rock a stock android over that crap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing by this statement, that you are a young teenager. I am an Android user and have been for quite a while. I honestly prefer to live my life and not have to tweak a phone's core OS for it to work right. It should work correctly right out of the box. Having to reset my phone several times a day or deal with bloatware is not fun. The nature of Android OS to begin with requires de-bloat/hacking.
Anyway like I said this is coming from a SGS2 user and former iPhone user as well. Only reason I don't go back is iPhones are still physically small for my liking. That and I'm on contract with T-Mobile and live in a building with poor reception (need WiFi calling)

Bought the phone ... rooted it in less than an hour xD. But, after browsing through some roms, I am in stock now just because everything works. However, I do run some rooted apps that come in handy at times.

Battery
I wanted something close to stock, so I went infamous 3.0 and it's just as stable, but the battery life is so much better than stock ICS. Would never go back.

I think its insane to deal with bloatware. Its androids biggest flaw. And theaon reason I root.
Flash Jedi jelly. I promise you won't regret. ( you will lose WiFi calling tho)
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rooted and it rules
droptopMP said:
Just wondering.....that is all. I don't have the knowledge or the "need to" to root my phone does everything I want it to, so I never rooted.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Rooting is essential to both experience android and master it
Sent from my Zapped SGH-T989 using Supercharged Slim Bean

Samsung is locking out root at the kernel level

It appears that Samsung has disabled root at the kernel level on new kernels for the 9500 and 9505. It looks like Samsung is going back on developer community support in favor of enterprise security.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2263788
I hope they don't do that to us in the states - originally I thought it was because of the Exynos exploits but the 9505 is a Snapdragon 600 device.
Sent from my SGH-T999

EtherealRemnant said:
It appears that Samsung has disabled root at the kernel level on new kernels for the 9500 and 9505. It looks like Samsung is going back on developer community support in favor of enterprise security.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2263788
I hope they don't do that to us in the states - originally I thought it was because of the Exynos exploits but the 9505 is a Snapdragon 600 device.
Sent from my SGH-T999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can I get this phone, but I do not know if I like it very much
not have enough money to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EY3B5qG-hg&feature=youtu.be

What??
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EtherealRemnant said:
It appears that Samsung has disabled root at the kernel level on new kernels for the 9500 and 9505. It looks like Samsung is going back on developer community support in favor of enterprise security.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2263788
I hope they don't do that to us in the states - originally I thought it was because of the Exynos exploits but the 9505 is a Snapdragon 600 device.
Sent from my SGH-T999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bbobarino said:
What??
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is also a very nice woman told
but I do not have money to take them
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_HdFLYH1Vg

What?
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bbobarino said:
What?
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
choto what ?
What do you think caused by continuous:cyclops:

Can we get on topic please?
This is worrisome stuff - it may not affect those of you with a device right now but if it ends up being enacted across the board, you better hope that you never break it.
This is the first time I've seen this implemented on the kernel level. It is by far the most effective way to prevent root as it keeps you from being able to switch to the root user. Without the ability to do that, all software exploits are worthless. And good luck exploiting the kernel itself.
Sent from my SGH-T999

EtherealRemnant said:
Can we get on topic please?
This is worrisome stuff - it may not affect those of you with a device right now but if it ends up being enacted across the board, you better hope that you never break it.
This is the first time I've seen this implemented on the kernel level. It is by far the most effective way to prevent root as it keeps you from being able to switch to the root user. Without the ability to do that, all software exploits are worthless. And good luck exploiting the kernel itself.
Sent from my SGH-T999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do they do this with a firmware upgrade? If so, would avoiding any OTA updates and only flashing Modded ROM's be a way to avoid it?

gaww said:
Do they do this with a firmware upgrade? If so, would avoiding any OTA updates and only flashing Modded ROM's be a way to avoid it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would assume yes.. and once youre rooted, you dont gotta worry about OTAs anyways....
OP suggested in another thread that this can be an issue if god forbid you need a replacement device..
I then stated that if we saved the backtostock file for the current firmware, this could possibly be avoided by flashing it through odin on a new device, but if samsung doesnt allow that by some means, were screwed

They're barring root at the kernel level on the i9500/i9505, but the difference with those models is that they have unlocked bootloaders and custom recovery with kernel source. It's possible to just install a custom recovery with ODIN and make a modified kernel (both of which are common practice in rooting anyway). They're just making it so that if you want to obtain root, you have to have physical access to the device to flash through ODIN, which is a lot safer in the long run. All this means is that Sally can't be exploited by running an APK or a malicious file to get root without her consent. (It also means that her "techy" boyfriend will have to understand ODIN to get root from now on,)

Are the phones shipping now locked?
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nitrogen618 said:
Are the phones shipping now locked?
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mo S4 has an unlocked bootloader. This is much ado about nothing. Read the last few pages of the thread.

i think we are flipping out over nothing. this is probably just for government phones. I think samsung is smart enough to know the heat they will get if they implement this across the board.
Worse comes to worse, carriers start to implement this, and tmobile doesnt seem interested in doing anything of the sort. the verizon and at&t guys are the ones that should be worried then.
but like i said before. making a mountain out of a molehill

It's for security reasons. You will still be able to install a custom kernel and have root. One minute people complain about an exploit the next they complain about not being secure.. it really isnt a big deal. Well I'm not a dev so I can't really say it's not a big deal but it is what it is and you'll still be able to have root.
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Mr. bird said:
I'm not a dev so I can't really say it's not a big deal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am, I can, and I did. Truly nothing to see here folks. Mr. bird here read the thread and gets it right.

s4 is the best

For rooting purpose, not S4 but Sony Z1.
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my device: Sony Z1C6903
Samsung I9506

xxhorseriderxxx said:
They're barring root at the kernel level on the i9500/i9505, but the difference with those models is that they have unlocked bootloaders and custom recovery with kernel source. It's possible to just install a custom recovery with ODIN and make a modified kernel (both of which are common practice in rooting anyway). They're just making it so that if you want to obtain root, you have to have physical access to the device to flash through ODIN, which is a lot safer in the long run. All this means is that Sally can't be exploited by running an APK or a malicious file to get root without her consent. (It also means that her "techy" boyfriend will have to understand ODIN to get root from now on,)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Come on now. How tech savvy does one have to be to use ODIN. Honestly, my MyTouch 3G was more difficult to root than this thing with ODIN. Point, click, profit. I'm sure all those "techy" boyfriends will be rooting Sammy phones just as easily as they do now. At some point someone will figure out a one click solution anyway.
I agree 100% though, this really is nothing to worry about. I welcome it honestly. Its a great bump for security. Given the current state of things with the NSA and whatever else trying to siphon data like damn vampires and hack everything in sight like Jason. Though I'd say this is more for businesses, we need all we can get. As it sits, we're about as bad off as Windows 95 would be on today's internet surfing warez sites.
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Odin Is pretty easy. I'm not that tech savvy with phones but when I had to use Odin I caught on quick.
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its a better discussion for all.....Samsung is locking out root at the kernel level
This is the first time I've seen this implemented on the kernel level. It is by far the most effective way
to prevent root as it keeps you from being able to switch to the root user. Without the ability to do that,
all software exploits are worthless. And good luck exploiting the kernel itself.
This is worrisome stuff - it may not affect those of you with a device right now but if it ends up being enacted
across the board, you better hope that you never break it.

Concerned about Knox? Seems KitKat 4.4 may make gaining root access a bit more diffic

Just some reading I came across. seems that kitkat is upping security with dm-verity on boot. Looks like modifying may get more complex in the near future. Everyone is worried about Samsung's Knox warranty flag but Google is trying to road block as well.
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/google-taking-aim-at-device-modders-in-android-4-4-kitkat/
Thinking some s4 users should check this out as many here are concerned about Knox...
Edit: chainfire did his thing and rooted. I'd be interested to see if any errors come from apps gaining root access or whatnot
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tylerholbrook said:
Just some reading I came across. seems that kitkat is upping security with dm-verity on boot. Looks like modifying may get more complex in the near future. Everyone is worried about Samsung's Knox warranty flag but Google is trying to road block as well.
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/google-taking-aim-at-device-modders-in-android-4-4-kitkat/
Thinking some s4 users should check this out as many here are concerned about Knox...
Edit: chainfire did his thing and rooted. I'd be interested to see if any errors come from apps gaining root access or whatnot
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd think those elements of 4.4 could be removed at the source code level for custom ROMs to be able to be installed on previously rooted devices. Or be bypassed in some way.
It's not an easy fix for developers, but I'd bet you it can be done.
As for exploiting devices that ship with 4.4 that's another story. But for clean installs of 4.4 ROMs on already rooted devices I'd bet this is doable.
And if not, Android and Google can bite me for wanting to be more like Apple and I'm sure the phone modder community will see a huge swift toward the Ubuntu mobile platform that never really got enough steam to get properly started due to the popularity of Android.

Yeah, chainfire already has a oneclick root for the nexus 5 pre loaded with 4.4, so root is still achieved at least with nexus. Wondering though if 4.4 will get harder and harder with the bootloader and what not for phones like the galaxy series and note, guess time will tell but I'm going to do some research before I get my next phone loaded with 4.4.
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When I ran the PA 4.4 build on the N7 (2012). Getting root was pretty easy. I also had no issues with running TB or any other rooted app. I am looking forward to more 4.4.

I flashed 4.4 on my Gnex last night and gaining root was as easy as flashing the root zip.

Wonder than what that article means than.
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tylerholbrook said:
Wonder than what that article means than.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The article, and the issue point to a grim future for any phone besides a nexus that ships with KitKat. Unlocking these new devices such as the Galaxy S5 just got a whole lot more difficult.
what you can and cannot flash with a Nexus phone or anything else with an unlocked bootloader is irrelevant.

That's what I was thinking, also official otas from carriers as well right? Aosp 4.4 builds should be alright? Since htc is getting kit kat should that shed any insight to where this is going?
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Interesting
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brando56894 said:
I flashed 4.4 on my Gnex last night and gaining root was as easy as flashing the root zip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah but what if you weren't able to use a custom recovery ? Would it be as easy then ?
Gaining root on a device with a locked bootloader is the real challenge. When you have an unlocked bootloader you can do what whatever you want pretty much...

It may make exploiting new phones harder (someone will definitely achieve it though), but any phone that is currently unlocked should be fine as this can easily be disabled in AOSP builds.