Develop Bugs

General rooting question

Hello all, I'm new to smartphones, Android, xda and rooting in general, but I understand the concept, value and associated risks. I'm following the thread by toastcfh in the EVO Development forum about how to root the EVO, but I don't want to clutter it up with such a basic question, so I'm posting it here.
I want to have root access in order to get rid of bloatware, play with custom roms and just generally have full access to my EVO. I do NOT, however, want to get in over my head. I want to develop a better understanding of Android before taking full advantage of what rooting offers. My concern is that if I don't root it as soon as I get it, HTC will patch the holes and I won't be able to do so later.
So here is my question: Can I root the darn thing when I get it on 6/4 and continue to run Sprint's delivered ROM? Then, as I accumulate more knowledge and experience, start to dig deeper into the OS and make use of what root has to offer? Also, can Sprint or HTC "un-root" a device via an OTA update or something similar? Sorry if these are noob questions, but as a noob, they're all I've got.
Oh, and thanks to all the folks who make this site so informative. It truly is a great resource.

You can root and remove your bloatware and even continue to use the stock ROM if you want. You can flash custom ROMs as you see fit. Remember, flashing a Sprint update will most likely unroot your device, so you should always just get a custom ROM based off the latest update instead of flashing the official updates. If you need to send your phone to Sprint you can always unroot with one of these official updates so they will never know about your root.

TheBiles said:
You can root and remove your bloatware and even continue to use the stock ROM if you want. You can flash custom ROMs as you see fit. Remember, flashing a Sprint update will most likely unroot your device, so you should always just get a custom ROM based off the latest update instead of flashing the official updates. If you need to send your phone to Sprint you can always unroot with one of these official updates so they will never know about your root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info.... I'm a noob as well, and am counting on you guys with your wealth of experience to show us the way.

TheBiles said:
You can root and remove your bloatware and even continue to use the stock ROM if you want. You can flash custom ROMs as you see fit. Remember, flashing a Sprint update will most likely unroot your device, so you should always just get a custom ROM based off the latest update instead of flashing the official updates. If you need to send your phone to Sprint you can always unroot with one of these official updates so they will never know about your root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the speedy response! Regarding Sprint updates, is this something that you must accept discretely via a keystroke or check box or something similar? Can you set the phone to not check for updates until you tell it to, or will it prompt the user on some sort of routine basis?

erikivy said:
Thanks for the speedy response! Regarding Sprint updates, is this something that you must accept discretely via a keystroke or check box or something similar? Can you set the phone to not check for updates until you tell it to, or will it prompt the user on some sort of routine basis?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it is the same with the Hero, OTA updates won't work on a custom ROM. I'm also sure that you can decline an OTA update on the stock ROM.

TheBiles said:
If it is the same with the Hero, OTA updates won't work on a custom ROM. I'm also sure that you can decline an OTA update on the stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perfect! Thanks again.

Once on 2.2, no root....

What's the best way to get rooted. I've tried te avalauncher way, they tell me I have to be rooted to use it. I've tried the simple root OTA, but when it's suppose to take you to factory restore, my phone goes to a backup/restore screen, so it fails cause I can't restore it. Please give me assistance.
I am running 2.2 from a manual install. No root.

You have to wait until the guys here find a way for p eople to root once they have 2.2 . That could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks

Most likely you are NOT going to be able to root since you ran the OTA update for 2.2....
That is why you should read what you are flashing and know the consequences prior to doing so. Every thread that contained the download for the 2.2 leak said that it will make you lose root and the ability ( for now ) to gain root status.
You need to wait until one of the geniuses figure out a way to do it.
Sorry about your luck.

The best way is toast method...
Good luck!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

UND3RTAK3R said:
The best way is toast method...you can email me if you have any problems [email protected]
Good luck!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not gonna work since he used the 2.2 update man.

EVOme said:
What's the best way to get rooted. I've tried te avalauncher way, they tell me I have to be rooted to use it. I've tried the simple root OTA, but when it's suppose to take you to factory restore, my phone goes to a backup/restore screen, so it fails cause I can't restore it. Please give me assistance.
I am running 2.2 from a manual install. No root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. wrong forum, should be in Q&A
2. if you did the manual update from Sprint, you will have to wait until the devs here create a root method for stock 2.2 is developed. Any existing root method will not work at all.

EVOme said:
What's the best way to get rooted. I've tried te avalauncher way, they tell me I have to be rooted to use it. I've tried the simple root OTA, but when it's suppose to take you to factory restore, my phone goes to a backup/restore screen, so it fails cause I can't restore it. Please give me assistance.
I am running 2.2 from a manual install. No root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You installed the plain OTA update? The one that says "not rooted yet" on the thread title?
For each new update, HTC tries to protect its software from being rooted. The last update required users to exploit a Flash Lite vulnerability and took a while. You will probably have to wait a long time before you can root this, since it doesn't have Flash Lite.
For future reference, root first THEN update to a rooted rom released by our devs. You can't just install Ava's rom on top of stock 2.2, it prevents you from doing so.

I'm sorry but HOW MANY posts were there saying if you want to keep root, DO NOT INSTALL THE UPDATE?? Ugh...
And yes I know this isn't constructive but sometimes people just need a slap on the back if the head.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

I'm in the same boat. After trying hard to resist the urge, I gave in and installed the leak. After finding the rooted version, I tried to use the 1.47 RUU to go back but it error-ed out. I'm so bummed I can't go back. Oh well; I knew the risk I was taking though so I guess I have to live with it...

Hours my my day wasted....HOURS!!!
Where's my AR-15

Wow, just wow.

I just had a thought: If there is no method for rooting yet, then how are the stock roms being rooted?

Here we go again
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

bludragon742 said:
I just had a thought: If there is no method for rooting yet, then how are the stock roms being rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By digging thru it and finding an exploit.
Which will most likely happen for the 2.2 update as well, just not as of yet.

bludragon742 said:
I just had a thought: If there is no method for rooting yet, then how are the stock roms being rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With a ROM, you can run through the zip file and essentially take out the parts that would remove root and modify as you see fit to put on an already rooted device -- the device isn't running all the security checks on the ROM, since it's already been rooted to remove those. Much easier, almost trivial.
If you have a non-rooted device, though, you have to find a way to get the device, not the ROM, rooted. The device isn't going to take an unofficial ROM. Big difference, since you have to exploit something already on the device somehow. With the last OTA update, it was Flash Lite that could be exploited for root access to the device. With this one, no one has found a method to root the device once the OTA has been applied (and probably won't really try that hard until the official version is released, in case it closes any exploits that are in the version floating around now).

xeno314 said:
With a ROM, you can run through the zip file and essentially take out the parts that would remove root and modify as you see fit to put on an already rooted device -- the device isn't running all the security checks on the ROM, since it's already been rooted to remove those. Much easier, almost trivial.
If you have a non-rooted device, though, you have to find a way to get the device, not the ROM, rooted. The device isn't going to take an unofficial ROM. Big difference, since you have to exploit something already on the device somehow. With the last OTA update, it was Flash Lite that could be exploited for root access to the device. With this one, no one has found a method to root the device once the OTA has been applied (and probably won't really try that hard until the official version is released, in case it closes any exploits that are in the version floating around now).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beat me to it and said it better.

bludragon742 said:
I'm in the same boat. After trying hard to resist the urge, I gave in and installed the leak. After finding the rooted version, I tried to use the 1.47 RUU to go back but it error-ed out. I'm so bummed I can't go back. Oh well; I knew the risk I was taking though so I guess I have to live with it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea how it was "hard to resist" when AVA's rooted version showed up at 5:30pm and netarchy's showed up around 9pm. They showed up before any official sprint OTA. Lets also not forget the hundreds of posts warning people that this would happen.
bludragon742 said:
I just had a thought: If there is no method for rooting yet, then how are the stock roms being rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "rooting method" allows you to get into restricted areas of the phone to install stuff. The act of rooting is breaking into the phone itself, not into the rom. The rom itself is fully accessable and can be hacked up, its just getting it onto the phone is the hard part.
Essentially your phone, stock, is a box that's locked from the inside. For older versions people figured out how to unlock it, so that you can put any hacked up rom onto it. The new OTA, no one knows how to get in yet.
Don't know if that makes sense. It's pretty easy to understand if you understand OS permissions.
EDIT: what the other guy said.

bludragon742 said:
I just had a thought: If there is no method for rooting yet, then how are the stock roms being rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because someone takes the CONTENT of the update, and applies it piece-by-piece to an already rooted image, ignoring the bits that replace HBOOT and etc.

Mad06STi said:
I have no idea how it was "hard to resist" when AVA's rooted version showed up at 5:30pm and netarchy's showed up around 9pm. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll tell you why. The thread gets to 200 pages. There are people saying it works, sucks, bricks, awesome, hate it, stay away, success, etc. After reading 40 pages of it you have no idea up from down. Speaking from someone that is not familiar with Android rooting. It's frustrating. Then you go to one of the other 50 threads and it's all the same.
I never saw anywhere that if I installed the leak i'd be screwed. I'm fine with that though. I have 2.2 and can wait. Just annoyed i've spent hours of my day on this.

This thread was a funny read.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Rooted & Getting System Update?!?!?

So I have stock 2.2... rooted.... and I removed verizon crapware.
I just got the notification that an update is ready for me? this is the one that contains the verizon app store... as well as I think a new kernel.
Is it safe to install? would it even install? If I did would I lose root?

You would loose root if it takes.
The update may fail depending on if it checks for stock apps. Not sure if this update will.
Sent from my Incredible

thehoovie said:
You would loose root if it takes.
The update may fail depending on if it checks for stock apps. Not sure if this update will.
Sent from my Incredible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well...since the root process also gives s-off... I'm a little confused about all of this. Shouldn't that let me get root back? and wouldn't the update fail since I don't have stock recovery?
Do I say install? Aaaaaigh

If you let it try to restart and install the update ClockworkMod will deny it, and the notification will go away for a while (either one day or one week, I can't remember).
I got the notification an hour or so ago on myn's warm twopointtwo.

NYC Coyote said:
Well...since the root process also gives s-off... I'm a little confused about all of this. Shouldn't that let me get root back? and wouldn't the update fail since I don't have stock recovery?
Do I say install? Aaaaaigh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some one might be better able to explain root vs. S-OFF than I but ill give it a try.
Root is for your operating system. It's like in winblows having administrator privileges so you can execute high level commands, modify system settings, etc...
S-OFF allows for your phones bootloader (like a PCs BIOS) to flash unsigned files. So, if we do get an update that removes root, we can flash a custom recovery program, to then install a ROM that does have or can be rooted.
Do a backup. I don't think the update will install or stop bugging you to do it. You should be able to modify your build prop to stop the messages.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9123362&postcount=9
Sent from my Incredible

I'm rooted and have S-Off, standard 2.2 ROM.
I would like to apply this OTA when it arrives, mostly because I'm a developer and have posted a few apps into the VCast store. Need to confirm they are there.
So should I hold off on applying it, or assume I can just use Unrevoked to re-root after the OTA?

greno1 said:
I'm rooted and have S-Off, standard 2.2 ROM.
I would like to apply this OTA when it arrives, mostly because I'm a developer and have posted a few apps into the VCast store. Need to confirm they are there.
So should I hold off on applying it, or assume I can just use Unrevoked to re-root after the OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for this, I just want to install this for the sake of being up-to-date. I need my precious root, though.

I would like to apply this OTA when it arrives, mostly because I'm a developer and have posted a few apps into the VCast store. Need to confirm they are there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why can't you look in the VCast store otherwise? If your phone is not the newest version then it won't have access to it?

Yeah... I would actually love to be able to install this... Especially since if I read correctly I would keep root.
As for the bloat, I can just remove it like the other bloat...
Sent from my HTC Incredible

I want this update but I'm on virtuous 3.1 and didn't get it... I want the apps and what not
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App

Mostly because I'd like to be able to check my vCast stats and comments from my phone, plus I think it's a good idea to be a user of the service if I'm selling apps on it.

*I posted this in another thread, copying here*
We have several Dinc's here at work. The only phones to receive this update so far are the slcd incredibles. Amoled doesn't seem to be getting it. And there appears to be a side effect after the update is applied, if you had a bluetooth device connected you need to unpair and re-pair the device. People are noticing that the scrolling seems much faster after the update so I'm going out on a limb and assuming the update had something to do with updating the slcd drivers.
Also had an issue on one where the phone wouldn't boot up after the reboot until the battery was pulled out and put back in.
***This did not break root on any of the phones***

Carnage9270 said:
*I posted this in another thread, copying here*
We have several Dinc's here at work. The only phones to receive this update so far are the slcd incredibles. Amoled doesn't seem to be getting it. And there appears to be a side effect after the update is applied, if you had a bluetooth device connected you need to unpair and re-pair the device. People are noticing that the scrolling seems much faster after the update so I'm going out on a limb and assuming the update had something to do with updating the slcd drivers.
Also had an issue on one where the phone wouldn't boot up after the reboot until the battery was pulled out and put back in.
***This did not break root on any of the phones***
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is one of the originals (had it since day one) and I received the OTA... it just didn't take cause I'm rooted (guessing it has something to do with replacing the recovery with clockwork.
I'd love to know how to apply it in case it was more than just crapware (which I will uninstall since i'm rooted)

NYC Coyote said:
Mine is one of the originals (had it since day one) and I received the OTA... it just didn't take cause I'm rooted (guessing it has something to do with replacing the recovery with clockwork.
I'd love to know how to apply it in case it was more than just crapware (which I will uninstall since i'm rooted)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same situation, rooted original Incredible with Clockwork

This seems to be the info on the ota.
http://theflickcast.com/2010/11/12/htc-droid-incredible-ota-update-rolling-out/
And here's a link if you want the vcast apk
http://phandroid.com/2010/11/09/dro...ate-goes-out-today-v-cast-apps-now-available/

Carnage9270 said:
This seems to be the info on the ota.
http://theflickcast.com/2010/11/12/htc-droid-incredible-ota-update-rolling-out/
And here's a link if you want the vcast apk
http://phandroid.com/2010/11/09/dro...ate-goes-out-today-v-cast-apps-now-available/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like those bug fixes, but it's not worth losing root :/

So it looks like someone will need to grab the OTA update... and repackage it as an update.zip for clockwork

[Q] New to andriod

Hey guys!
I just recently gotten T-mobile's G2! I already got it unlocked by paying $8 to get the unlock code .
Soo, I have been doing a lot of reading regarding rooting, perm and temp, android , etc! I was a iphone 3GS user, so I don't have that much experience or any at all with android.
What is OTA? Does it mean "over the air" update?!
I am interested in rooting my g2. I checked the wiki out. However, there are couple of things I am not sure of.
First of all, what does stock rom mean? Is it like the original android 2.2 (fyro)? that is unmodified by T-mobile and other such carriers?
Did my G2 come with stock rom? or came with T-mobile's stock rom?
Also, I did update my G2 via "OTA" i suppose. How do I know I have the latest OTA? I am really confused about this part. I have checked various threads about it, but they were not able to clarify it for me.
Any links that would explain it, would greatly help me!
thank you guys & gals for help and replying !

Just asked this question
1. http://theunlockr.com/2010/10/20/how-to-root-the-t-mobile-g2-htc-vision-visionary-method/
2. http://theunlockr.com/2010/11/30/how-to-gain-permanent-root-and-s-off-on-the-t-mobile-g2-htc-vision/
3. (Optional Custom ROM) http://theunlockr.com/2010/11/30/how-to-load-a-custom-rom-on-the-t-mobile-g2-htc-vision/
Watch the videos most helpful. Also OTA is over the air update that for offical updates t-mobile pushes out.

You know you've got the latest OTA when no more show up
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 running Cyanogenmod.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=android+root
Sent from a Western Union telegram.

blackknightavalon said:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=android+root
Sent from a Western Union telegram.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha that makes me laugh every time I see it

There's a lot of great reasons to root, but a lot of great reasons also to stay with stock (like warranty). You DON'T need root to use an unlocked handset with another carrier. Just the APNs for that carrier (see Android manual for how to add one).
So, that said, the XDA wiki under HTC Vision has a lot of great info on rooting and SuperCID and custom ROMs, as does Cyanogen's site.
Stock ROM basically means "official" or "pre-loaded" ROM -- the one that the phone came with.
But before you begin anything I strongly encourage you to Google what "root" means on Linux and what it allows you to do, and ask yourself if you really need root before you start trying to get it on your G2. If you're not a hacker and just plan on using apps from the market you probably don't need it anyway. But I'll leave that decision up to you.

Thank you for all your insightful replies!
Yes, I have read regarding rooting and linux . I am sort of an hacker , since I've worked on iphone stuff.
Thanks for the links. I will have a look at them! I appreciate all your efforts.

Ok you need to set up an androidsdk environment. You need jdk for it to work. And while not necessary putting the tools directory for the sdk in the path definitely saves a lot of typing copying and pasting.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

LimitsX said:
I just recently gotten T-mobile's G2!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congratulations!
I already got it unlocked by paying $8 to get the unlock code .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
$8 isn't too but but you didn't need to spend that, the recommended method for obtaining root has an (optional) side effect of unlocking the phone. You will see this referred to as the "gfree" method.
What is OTA? Does it mean "over the air" update?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes OTA means "Over The Air" when your carrier sends an update for your phone over the cellular airwaves it's an OTA update. These updates are official an only designed for the stock ROM.
First of all, what does stock rom mean? Is it like the original android 2.2 (fyro)? that is unmodified by T-mobile and other such carriers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A "Stock ROM" is simply the ROM that came installed on your phone, any phones updated by an OTA update could also be considered to be running a stock ROM. Generally it refers to the OS version your carrier and manufacturer want/expect you to have. This is opposed to a "Custom ROM" which is a customized version of Android, there are a number of different custom ROMs for the G2 each with their own features and capabilities.
Did my G2 come with stock rom? or came with T-mobile's stock rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every phone comes with a stock ROM, by definition.
Also, I did update my G2 via "OTA" i suppose. How do I know I have the latest OTA? I am really confused about this part. I have checked various threads about it, but they were not able to clarify it for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When a new OTA update is released, it takes a little while for the update to reach all the devices. There hasn't been a new OTA for the G2 in a while and AFAIK there has only been one so far. I would expect that if you just got your phone you would have received an OTA update within a day or two, and now would be up to date. As long as you are running a stock ROM you will receive new OTAs as they are released, if you root your phone but maintain the stock ROM (the state my own G2 is in right now) you would generally want to avoid installing any OTA because the update could cause you to lose root without the ability to get it back (if the OTA fixes the security hole that allowed root to be obtained)
Regarding temp vs permanent root. When the G2 first came out people had a hard time obtaining root, They first obtained "temp root" which persisted until the phone was rebooted. With a temp root any changes you make will be gone the next time you reboot your phone, because security settings of the phone prevent those changes from actually being committed to the phone. For example if you temp root your phone and remove the built in PhotoBucket application you will see that the app is back when you reboot next. Eventually they discovered how to obtain "permanent root" which will allow you to keep your root access across reboots and allows you to make permanent changes to your phone. An essential part of permanent root is defeating the security settings that prevent permanent changes to the phones memory. It should be noted that you first need to get temp root before you can get permanent root.

Just regarding the gfree method.... it does work quite well. But it did introduce a few unexpected quirks to my G2. I went back to all stock configs and decided I didn't need root so badly afterall. But it was nice to know how easy it was to do such a thing on a phone considered at one time to be unrootable.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

[Q] Exynos Abuse unroot?

I m a bit confuse about Exynos Abuse, I rooted my phone about a month and half ago with Exynos Abuse but I have a huge question, when an official update comes how can I unroot to update? or can I be okay without updating? Please some help would be much appreciated.

As long as you still have stock recovery....my advice would be to grab ota rootkeeper from the market. Backup root and either temp unroot with it or use Supersu to unroot. Grab the OTA and use ota rootkeeper to regain root privileges.

Froid said:
As long as you still have stock recovery....my advice would be to grab ota rootkeeper from the market. Backup root and either temp unroot with it or use Supersu to unroot. Grab the OTA and use ota rootkeeper to regain root privileges.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alrighty, thanks for the advice! I shall do that.

A forewaring; Some "official updates" by AT&T are patches that remove certain exploits that allow us to do what we do with our phones, such as rooting and custom ROMs. Just because AT&T has an official update, it does not necessarily mean it's a good thing.

BlackPhantomX said:
A forewaring; Some "official updates" by AT&T are patches that remove certain exploits that allow us to do what we do with our phones, such as rooting and custom ROMs. Just because AT&T has an official update, it does not necessarily mean it's a good thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sooo you are trying to say I can be okay without doing the update? because in that case I would be more than happy to not unroot my phone lol.

The AT&T updates are unnecessary with what we do. The ROM we're using is actually further along than what AT&T is willing to give us in terms of updates. If and when AT&T gets around to giving us 4.2, we will probably be moving along to 5 already.

If att pushes an update chances are there will be a cwm/twrp flashable version of it in the development section in a day or two:thumbup:
Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk 2

Alright, thanks guys!! btw Hi Sheperd.

yep, accepting OTA updates is the mortal enemy of anyone who enjoys the "treats" that we get here on XDA...there is NOTHING in an OTA update, that wont get baked into the custom roms here, if it is anything that will make our phones better..
avoid them like the plague..

wase4711 said:
yep, accepting OTA updates is the mortal enemy of anyone who enjoys the "treats" that we get here on XDA...there is NOTHING in an OTA update, that wont get baked into the custom roms here, if it is anything that will make our phones better..
avoid them like the plague..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol ok sir I will avoid them. I was just wondering, I just wanted to make sure not to do something wrong.