So I am getting my new Verizon Nexus on Tuesday, what should a new nexus owner do? I think people say root it even if you dont want to use it as that would prevent wiping the device. So I plan to root it. Do I need to root it before or after activation?
Plus we are actually getting two nexi, one for me and one for wife. Can I make same profile for both phones this way dont have to double pay for apps? Thats what we did with webOS/Palm. Is that possible, same marketplace info on both phones with different emails, calendar and stuff.
Sorry this is my first time using androiid so asking very basic questions. :-\
If you want to change your ROM or bootloader later, the first thing you need to do is to unlock the bootloader. This will wipe your device from all user data.
IMHO there is no immediate need for root. You can go without and root it anytime you like or really need it.
And yes, I think you can have 5 devices on your Android market account.
Unlocking the bootloader wipes the device, not rooting. Those are 2 different things.
As far as sharing apps and things, you're going to need to do some interesting setup for that. I suppose the best way to do it is to have 1 account you both use for the market, then you each get another account to use for personal info, contacts, email. Otherwise you'll be sharing contacts.
Valynor said:
If you want to change your ROM or bootloader later, the first thing you need to do is to unlock the bootloader. This will wipe your device from all user data.
IMHO there is no immediate need for root. You can go without and do it anytime you like or really need it.
And yes, I think you can have 5 devices on your Android market account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great thanks, I will unlock the boat loader though I dont like ROMS.
1) Is it easy to unlock the boat loader?
2) should I unlock it before or after activation?
kkhanmd said:
So I am getting my new Verizon Nexus on Tuesday, what should a new nexus owner do? I think people say root it even if you dont want to use it as that would prevent wiping the device. So I plan to root it. Do I need to root it before or after activation?
Plus we are actually getting two nexi, one for me and one for wife. Can I make same profile for both phones this way dont have to double pay for apps? Thats what we did with webOS/Palm. Is that possible, same marketplace info on both phones with different emails, calendar and stuff.
Sorry this is my first time using androiid so asking very basic questions. :-\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would not recomend rooting right away especially for a new user! Read read read is the best advise you will recieve. If you find the need to root for reasons you know then do it. Too many people root without knowing what it means or why they are doing it!
You can use the same gmail account on both phones yes, that way you won't have to double pay for apps. Usually contacts, calendar, gmail & such sync to your account. I havent had personal experience with sharing devices but I know you can have more than one Google account on one phone. So this is what I recomend: set up 3 Google accounts. One that will sync your contacts email calendar, one that will sync your wife's contacts email calendar, and one to buy apps on only and share that one!
Edit: looks like some others beat me to the draw lol, I'm not the fastest types especially on this tablet.
You need to unlock it first. Unlocking makes your phone like a new out of the box device. It is very very easy. Google built a way for specifically doing this into your GN via the "fastboot oem unlock" command. Forum search will find you plenty of guides for how to do this.
kkhanmd said:
Great thanks, I will unlock the boat loader though I dont like ROMS.
1) Is it easy to unlock the boat loader?
2) should I unlock it before or after activation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes it is you will see a "toolbox" pinned in the development section.
2. It shouldn't matter. And you don't even nesesarily have to do that, especially not wanting ROMs and not knowing yet what root is or if you want it. Don't let the others peer pressure you into it. Many here enjoy the stock experience!
I would suggest reading through this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19177629&postcount=1
It will give you a good background to unlocking, rooting, etc.
I would suggest running stock for a while until you are comfortable with android and have read up on how to tinker with your phone. As someone who has had multiple android phones and have ran custom roms on all of them, I am perfectly happy running stock on the Galaxy Nexus.
In short: outside of ROMS what is the use of unlocking boot loader and rooting? The reason why I put my webOS phone in developer mode was the patches, I could download a new calendar, or make the functionality of stock browser better or change the way screen looks, does unlocking on android does the same, does one even need to do anything to the stock 4.x or the stock version is pretty good?
kkhanmd said:
In short: outside of ROMS what is the use of unlocking boot loader and rooting? The reason why I put my webOS phone in developer mode was the patches, I could download a new calendar, or make the functionality of stock browser better or change the way screen looks, does unlocking on android does the same, does one even need to do anything to the stock 4.x or the stock version is pretty good?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stock is pretty good! 4.0.4 leak is better IMO, which is also pretty much stock, just an unreleased one. There are many calendar, browsers, and lock screens to download in the Market and you will not need an unlocked bootloader to do so. I think you should play with it and enjoy what you get with stock and then decide if you need more/ different and then find out what the requirements for those changes are. You will def be happy with stock ICS compared to WebOS!
kkhanmd said:
So I am getting my new Verizon Nexus on Tuesday, what should a new nexus owner do? I think people say root it even if you dont want to use it as that would prevent wiping the device. So I plan to root it. Do I need to root it before or after activation?
Plus we are actually getting two nexi, one for me and one for wife. Can I make same profile for both phones this way dont have to double pay for apps? Thats what we did with webOS/Palm. Is that possible, same marketplace info on both phones with different emails, calendar and stuff.
Sorry this is my first time using androiid so asking very basic questions. :-\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ALWAYS recommend rooting. But if anything just unlock the bootloader and leave it at that. It kinda sucks when it wipes your device AND SD card space after using it for months.
As far as not double paying for apps.... do this:
Create your Google account
Create her Google account... make hers default on her device.
Add your account to her phone as secondary and turn off contacts/gmail sync. It allows you to access the same apps and market stuffs but keeps yours and her email and contacts separated. Her contacts and gmail will sync as normal. I've been doing it for my wife for a long time.. but Google only recently made it real easy.
Sent from my CM9 TouchPad
The point of unlocking is that if you later want to root, you'll have to have it unlocked, which will wipe all your data. If you're going to wipe all your data, might as well do it when you first get the phone than when it's all set up.
I know this is really basic but the very first thing I would do (even before you get your phone) is make sure you have all of your contacts in Google contacts. Import them in and clean them up as necessary, I find it much easier on a PC. Then when you log in on your phone they will all just be there and you won't have to worry about doubles.
You can also look into uploading music and photos through Google Music/Picasa.
Good luck with your new phone.
Don't root and unlock the bootloader without reading, but don't put anything on the phone that you don't want to lose as unlocking the bootloader wipes the device.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Related
Hey guys I have two questions.
1. I would like to do a backup of my phone the same way I would do an image of my PC drive using an image software like Norton ghost or Acronis true image. Is this possible on android? I've been reading about Nandroid backup and I think this does what I want but the only way to do this with Nandroid is to root and install a new recovery correct? Am I not able to hook my phone up using the usb cable and use an app on the PC to clone the internal SD and create an image of it? I want to create an image of my phone with all its settings, contacts, txts, etc so i can have something to go back to if needed. I would like to do this before I root if possible.
2. On the Samsung Captivate section we have a wiki that has all the info you need to learn how to do certain things, mods, root, etc, etc. I found something similar for our Gnote2 here started by Mjwhirly http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1987541 but I could not find a section of removing bloatware. I saw the link that was created by mrRobinson and he mentions using De-Bloater app that will do it for you with oneclick but is there a list of all the safe to remove apps that I can go through so I can decided which apps I want to keep and which I want to remove?
thanks in advance
Yeah you got it right - a nandroid is what you want. I'm a big time user of ghost - it's the same thing and works great. Root and install the TWRP recovery. Then first of all make a nandroid of your old system. If you want to go back to it all you'll have to do is unroot, change the recovery back, and use triangle away to reset the flash counter and you'll be where you are now - bone stock. You can't make a nandroid image backup until you root and change the recovery though.
On the second question I'd just recommend you install a rom. I use Cleanrom. It is already debloated for you (though you have still some choices), as well as optimized in ways that will amaze you (does 2+ days on battery sound good?). If you look at the various roms available, you'll see more people are using Cleanrom than any other - that should tell you something! Jedi is also great. Many of the AOSP type roms seem to have some minor issues, but the devs are trying to do a much harder thing than just debloat and optimize a rom that was originally released for your device. Whichever one you decide to try, best thing to do is just read the whole rom thread in advance if you have time. You'll read all the dumb questions that others have already asked as well as learn all the ins and outs of the whole process. If you want to then try a different rom, make a nandroid and you can always come back to your previous working system. Hope this helps and have fun!
hey thanks a lot Dumbo53
I guess i'll just have to go ahead and root and do a nandroid backup. I have actually owned a captivate since it first came out which was my first android phone and i have never installed a custom rom. I always did everything manually like debloat and stuff. Security wise how safe are these roms, I see a lot of people just running around and flashing any rom that gets posted. What I'm trying to get at is do we know what's inside of these roms or do we just rely on the honor system and assume that they're safe, like can I trust these roms if I do my banking on them, which i am scared to do ever since I saw a message from the keyboard app on my captivate prompt about capturing my keystrokes or something, basically like a key logger, so I never did try to log onto any sites involving my banking or work email etc. but now that I have my note2 I want to be able to do all that stuff, like emails, banking, accessing my site for maintenance etc etc just for the instant access part of it instead of booting up my laptop or desktop... But I guess I can say the same thing about the stock rom too.
Your banking info is much more likely to be stolen off of a corporate website that got hacked. Whenever you use a credit card to buy something from a company or store, your number passes through some unknown employee's hands and gets stored in another database. Since millions of these numbers are stored together under sometimes weak security, these sites make much more tempting targets than your phone for thieves. The numbers are then sold off in blocks of thousands on the internet. Does that worry you enough to stop using a credit card?
However it is true that there could be a risk in installing a rom, or indeed any software on your phone. If it were discovered that a dev was putting malware in their mods or roms, I'm sure it would create quite a stir! I've never heard of this happening, though I have heard of shady stuff being done with mobile apps that you buy. All I can suggest you do is just read a lot more so that it is easier to distinguish between real threats and imaginary ones, and to learn how to protect yourself. In any case financial institutions have to protect their customers from a lot of these types of fraud, or they'd have trouble staying in business.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
Sounds good. I'm just getting the chance to root and install TWRP been super busy with work so I haven't had the chance to do it. Now installing a recovery does not wipe data right? also on a different note I use both the play store and amazon app store. I have purchased a bunch of apps from amazon and most of them worked but there are a few that say my phone is not compatible. Like the need for speed games and asphalt games will not install from amazon. I haven't tried the same apps from play store but maybe I should. Oh one big one is autodesks sketchbook pro. I don't even see that option on the play store when searching using my phone but its there when i search on the pc. I purchased sketchbook mobile and that works but i needed the features that pro has so i purchased that through amazon again thinking that it would work. I thought this phone was basically a tablet, shouldn't these tablet apps work on our phones?
Okay, this may be a bit of a noobish thread, but rooting is a thing I don't have much experience or knowledge in. I've been using an M8 for a few months and I'm just trying to figure out how to make it a more personal experience. I have downloaded Tasker but I still need to look at guides and FAQ's on it before I start playing with it. Back to the thread title, why should I root? I know I can play with ROM's, kernels, and what not when I root. But I'm still unfamiliar with what I'm actually doing when I do that. I'm not 100% sold on changing the ROM on my M8 because I was watching a video for Cyanogen on an M8 and you lose the double tap to unlock functionality and the video stated that most ROM's will lose that functionality. I happen to use it quite often so I'm a bit leery of letting it go. So more specifically my question is, what can do I with rooting? What do different kernels do? What can I do with rooting if I don't change the ROM or kernel? I'm hoping I can find out if rooting is something I want to do or not with my phone. Any help is greatly appreciated.
If you root, you can use tasker... For starters. ?
No one can answer this. Except you. If there are things you want to do that require root, then root. If not, don't. Not much else to say on it really.
KJ said:
If you root, you can use tasker... For starters. ?
No one can answer this. Except you. If there are things you want to do that require root, then root. If not, don't. Not much else to say on it really.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's pretty much exactly why I want to know what all I can do with rooting and what those things actually do. So I can decide if rooting is something I want to do.
adaway is the major reason why i root, and xposed.
Well there is only so much you can do on a device without making changes to its system. Kinda like a computer, Windows & Linux. How many things can you install and/or change without Administrator Privileges / Super User?
Heck these days you need Administrator privileges for updates on some games. Almost anything cool will HAVE to make some changes to the system in order to work properly.
Xposed Framework
Titanium Backup
Root explorer - <Name already says it all.
Six axis controller - You need root in order to connect your PS3 remote to your phone in order to play games with a controller.
Tasker - Like mentioned before.
Ad block Plus - Who really wants to look at ads the whole day?
Greenify - To hibernate all those excessive apps and save up some battery juice.
Better Batter Stats / GSAM with Root Companion - Get some detailed info on your what drains your battery(Wake locks etc)
WiFi Tethering - Pay for it through Carrier or Free with root?
Has the writing to external issue been fixed with latest android phones? If not you'll probably need Root to make changes to the permissions in order to write to external SD card.
The questions really isn't right... It's not "Why should I root? " it's "Why shouldn't I root? " Like I mentioned above you can't really do anything to the device if you don't have the permission/authority to do so and some of the best stuff out there needs to make changes to the system. When last did you install an awesome program on your computer without having to grant it administrative privileges
That list I gave is small one in a huge list of cool things you can install and/or do if you're rooted.
Then of course next it'll be... Why should I go with S-OFF
Completely stock - Human - you only do what they want you to do.
Rooted - Demi-God - you make your own choices on what you want and what you don't.
S-OFF - God Mode. Enough said.
Being able to disable data at the firewall for everything except those apps that actually need Internet access is a godsend if you don't have a large data plan. I use DroidWall, but Android Firewall is coming along as well.
Then, add in Adaway, being able to completely remove CarrierIQ, and disable unnecessary services, it's more a question of why wouldn't you root? However, I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to my phones.
Thanks for the replies guys, I've got some things to look into now. Is there an easy to understand guide anyone can link to help me better understand what I can do with rooting? Knowing certain apps/tasks and what not is great for looking into, but I would like to gain a better understanding of what all rooting is capable of so I can come up with ideas of my own to try. I still really have no idea what different kernels do, and reading descriptions doesn't help me much right now with my limited understanding. Thanks again guys.
I think most of the benefits of rooting have already been stated, but what about the trade-offs?
Well, there are simply no trade offs unless you use an app that won't work with root, like Barclays Bank UK. Unless you use any app that won't work with root...
About double tap to unlock, you will only lose it if you use any aosp Rom, you will still have it if you use a stock based rom like ARHD or Venom
metllicamilitia said:
Thanks for the replies guys, I've got some things to look into now. Is there an easy to understand guide anyone can link to help me better understand what I can do with rooting? Knowing certain apps/tasks and what not is great for looking into, but I would like to gain a better understanding of what all rooting is capable of so I can come up with ideas of my own to try. I still really have no idea what different kernels do, and reading descriptions doesn't help me much right now with my limited understanding. Thanks again guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A pretty comprehensive guide and explanations of everything for the M8 that you want to know before rooting/modding/flashing/etc. :good:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=52484527
metllicamilitia said:
Thanks for the replies guys, I've got some things to look into now. Is there an easy to understand guide anyone can link to help me better understand what I can do with rooting? Knowing certain apps/tasks and what not is great for looking into, but I would like to gain a better understanding of what all rooting is capable of so I can come up with ideas of my own to try. I still really have no idea what different kernels do, and reading descriptions doesn't help me much right now with my limited understanding. Thanks again guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here are some helpful videos on how to root, unlock bootloader, gain s-off, and receive ota updates while rooted. All these videos helped me and will help you too .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkGyPgONJaI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N88nHyCktW0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPPT5J8xG6w
Personally I wouldn't bother rooting unless you have a specific must have or must not have problem with the M8.
Every phone i've had now i've rooted, unlocked etc, and I always go back to the same thought, why did I bother.
Personally I think it just has you wiping and reinstalling all the time and not getting on with things. Flashaholic I think is the term lol.
I also think my M8 functioned better stock. Smoother and with better battery life.
Personal opinion though. When I get my Z3, i'll be leaving it stock, ready for the M9 lol.
HtcOneJon said:
Personally I wouldn't bother rooting unless you have a specific must have or must not have problem with the M8.
Every phone i've had now i've rooted, unlocked etc, and I always go back to the same thought, why did I bother.
Personally I think it just has you wiping and reinstalling all the time and not getting on with things. Flashaholic I think is the term lol.
I also think my M8 functioned better stock. Smoother and with better battery life.
Personal opinion though. When I get my Z3, i'll be leaving it stock, ready for the M9 lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually still running stock right now, and taking OTA updates. I just refuse to give up my control of iptables and the HOSTS file. If there was a non-root way to setup these things, I would probably not bother either. On my last phone, a Galaxy S2 Skyrocket, I rarely messed with the OS once I get everything setup the way I wanted it. It was running stock firmware the whole time, just with DroidWall and Adaway running on it.
The only thing I did that deviated from that was backing up applications and restoring on new devices. For example, I wanted to preserve my progress in Alchemy, so I backed it up with Titanium Backup, moved the Tibkp file to my new phone, and restored the data. No having to manually redo everything
IOW, root doesn't have to mean "total makeover".
I have been finding myself only using Magisk for EmojiOne, but noticing I don't use Emoji like I used to anymore and am thinking since I only use Substratum with a Center Clock mod and have stopped using it for Dark theming, maybe going back to a stock based setup would be fine. I can use the Andromeda thing with Substratum which is an extra step but can do my center clock and possibly emoji one via substratum... not sure what else I would want root for... Updating is a touch of a pain for me. What do yo guys think, and have any of you gone back to stock?
I went back to stock just because I didn't want to have the uncertainty of being rooted.
Nothing wrong with rooting but I love this phone the way it is.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
For myself Rooting was a necessity. The devices sold in the past had so much Crapware.
It was nice to get the latest and greatest ROM and tweak the device to run faster because at that time they were just plain old slow.
Today, depending on where you bought a device devices are very fast. It seems to me that every ROM has an issue that influences the character of the device.
If your device comes from a carrier such as Verizon you should Root it to get rid of their crapware.
It seems their attitude is you only have the right to buy their device not the ability to control, I mean really you think you own it or something? ( yes I'm a VZW hater)
What was the question?
kdkinc said:
For myself Rooting was a necessity. The devices sold in the past had so much Crapware.
It was nice to get the latest and greatest ROM and tweak the device to run faster because at that time they were just plain old slow.
Today, depending on where you bought a device devices are very fast. It seems to me that every ROM has an issue that influences the character of the device.
If your device comes from a carrier such as Verizon you should Root it to get rid of their crapware.
It seems their attitude is you only have the right to buy their device not the ability to control, I mean really you think you own it or something? ( yes I'm a VZW hater)
What was the question?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, I agree 100%. I can simply disable gMail and Calculator, the only 2 APPs pre-installed on my Pixel 2 XL that I don't need. I use Inbox by Google for eMails and a Calculator Widget for that. Aside from the EmojiOne and CenterClock, I don't even dark-theme anymore, especially not on this device with the "black crush" all the OLEDs have an issue with. I was rooted fro KCal, but am finding the Boosted setting works just fine and oddly my Blue Tint has weakened since my first few days where it was really bad. Almost like the display is wearing in and getting better? It's still there, but just not as much as that first fresh opening, so warming up the display isn't needed much for me now either.
I like to see where people's heads are at with each device, and this is one the extra input is nice to read.
I'm actually on the fence about rooting. Just received my phone this weekend and I can't decide. Going to unlock bootloader before fully setting up, but I have been playing with it a little. I've always rooted and ran custom ROMs as well as adaway. With PureNexus on my N6 I stopped flashing for over a year except the occasional ROM update. I simply like Android in it's simplest form.
I will always root, no matter what. The only downside is like you said, having to mess with getting OTAs in an unnatural way. However, seeing as how I flash all factory images, I get them sooner than those waiting on an OTA to hit their phone. Plus once you have all the tools ready to go, it literally only takes a few minutes to flash an update.
I always root because I usually run stock. And while stock on a Pixel 2 XL is damn near close to perfection, it will never be what "I" consider perfect. Which means I have to mess with the /system files to get things "perfect." I've modded the stock launcher, which I couldn't do if I was rooted. I've switched out fonts. I've changed the navbar, status bar, and quick settings. And of course, there's always AdAway which requires root. Granted some of those things can be achieved with third party apps, but I'd rather get it done "internally" whenever possible.
I used to have it for years, then more and more companies (Google and banks) made their apps check for root, and I tired of the cat and mouse game with SuperSU and Magisk. So I unrooted over a year ago. Didn't miss it at all until yesterday, when I wanted to do something with Tasker that requires root. But what I wanted to do falls into the category of "it would be nice" as opposed to "I have/need to do this", so I remain unrooted. I haven't really missed it much.
I am stuck without root since I have the Verizon model which was given to me free from work so I cannot complain too much. I have always rooted and messed with ROMs. The only thing I would need root for with the 2 XL is ad blocking with Chrome. I am trying the Samsung browser and ABP which work pretty well together.
If I didn't have the noise cancellation mic issue on my 6P I think I would have given up root a long time ago...
I rotate between stock and rooted daily lol
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
I am sort of glad I found this thread. I'm not a XDA regular but I've been following root guides from here since my Razr Mazz HD. I chose the Pixel in part for the ease of getting root and for Project Fi. Now that I have the phone, I'm not sure I want to root. I've never had a phone with quick updates before. I LOVE AdAway, but is it really worth the tradeoff? AdGuard is just as good if you don't use your VPN slot but if you DO use a VPN and need it.... not rooting forces me to choose between PIA and AdGuard. But do I even need a VPN anymore with Project Fi? Probably... Firefox with uBlock works pretty well too but doesn't work on apps. Oh the decisions.
Ruraltech said:
I am sort of glad I found this thread. I'm not a XDA regular but I've been following root guides from here since my Razr Mazz HD. I chose the Pixel in part for the ease of getting root and for Project Fi. Now that I have the phone, I'm not sure I want to root. I've never had a phone with quick updates before. I LOVE AdAway, but is it really worth the tradeoff? AdGuard is just as good if you don't use your VPN slot but if you DO use a VPN and need it.... not rooting forces me to choose between PIA and AdGuard. But do I even need a VPN anymore with Project Fi? Probably... Firefox with uBlock works pretty well too but doesn't work on apps. Oh the decisions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you like it the way it is, then I'd just leave it. It's a great device on stock. However, having root, AdAway, TiBu, kernels, and mods, is a lot of fun as well. As long as you know adb and fastboot fairly well, rooting and flashing monthly updates is pretty easy :good:
I was rooted from the get go!!
I'm going to try to live without root for a bit but already hating not having AdAway. I just know I won't keep up with updates if I have to do them. I sure wish AdAway didn't need root
Ruraltech said:
I am sort of glad I found this thread. I'm not a XDA regular but I've been following root guides from here since my Razr Mazz HD. I chose the Pixel in part for the ease of getting root and for Project Fi. Now that I have the phone, I'm not sure I want to root. I've never had a phone with quick updates before. I LOVE AdAway, but is it really worth the tradeoff? AdGuard is just as good if you don't use your VPN slot but if you DO use a VPN and need it.... not rooting forces me to choose between PIA and AdGuard. But do I even need a VPN anymore with Project Fi? Probably... Firefox with uBlock works pretty well too but doesn't work on apps. Oh the decisions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not regretting going back to stock from rooted as the only things I no longer have is center clock and emojione, which I 'could' get using Andromeda / Substratum but heard you have to reconnect to the computer anytime you reboot the phone and decided that's just not worth it for me. I am interested in ad blocking if possible without Root for Chrome. Only Ads that get in my way are via "News" and articles I touch from the Google Feed. Sadly many lately are blatant click-bait, page-hopping crap and slideshows that I refuse to go past the first page on.
Edit: Well, just ran across something known as DNS66 and have that up and running without Root and sure enough, it's blocking Ads on everything, even in Chrome without issue.
sharkie405 said:
I will always root, no matter what. The only downside is like you said, having to mess with getting OTAs in an unnatural way. However, seeing as how I flash all factory images, I get them sooner than those waiting on an OTA to hit their phone. Plus once you have all the tools ready to go, it literally only takes a few minutes to flash an update.
I always root because I usually run stock. And while stock on a Pixel 2 XL is damn near close to perfection, it will never be what "I" consider perfect. Which means I have to mess with the /system files to get things "perfect." I've modded the stock launcher, which I couldn't do if I was rooted. I've switched out fonts. I've changed the navbar, status bar, and quick settings. And of course, there's always AdAway which requires root. Granted some of those things can be achieved with third party apps, but I'd rather get it done "internally" whenever possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whats your few minute process? Do you only have a few apps to restore with data?
plisskenn said:
Whats your few minute process? Do you only have a few apps to restore with data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash without wiping data.
plisskenn said:
Whats your few minute process? Do you only have a few apps to restore with data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See below. ?
jrbxx7 said:
Flash without wiping data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using XDA Labs
First thing I did with my unlocked XL 2 was to unlock the bootloader. I then rooted once Magisk was available. I root so I can do pain-free full TiBu of my apps and for AdAway. Even though I have corporate email on my phone, the Magisk Hide bypasses their restrictions in the email app.
I'm actually kind of shocked we don't have more ROMs for this phone, though I'm not a Dev and don't know how complex it may be. If more Devs release custom ROMs, I'll be trying some out for sure.
I never buy android phone unless it's bootloader-unlockable and root-able
Too many handicap applied without root.
I hate dns/vpn based adblock, it cluttering my status bar and notification. So, yes, i need root for adaway,
Google limit Tethering frequency option for my country (No 5Ghz) so, yes, i need root to enable it,
I like the ability to background play youtube, and see youtube without ads, so yes, i root my phone for that. Sure, no root option is available, but lot of problem with google account cant sign in, and this and that.
I like the ability to use Brevent, Edge Sense Plus, Greenify etc without the need of plugging my phone to PC and do adb command. So, yes, i rooted my phone for that.
The phone will never be 100% yours, unless you have total control over anything inside it
So,
There's no way am back to stock. Especially with xposed working so well right now.
otonieru said:
I like the ability to background play youtube, and see youtube without ads, so yes, i root my phone for that. Sure, no root option is available, but lot of problem with google account cant sign in, and this and that.
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Assuming you are using Magisk, how did you get YouTube Red without subscribing? (You can PM me if you don't want to hijack this thread...)
Hey all. So as the title says, I'm new to Android, I've had an iPhone for like 10 years now and fancied a change. Bought the Razer on Monday and was wondering whats the benefits of Rooting the phone? As someone who used to Jailbreak the iPhone for tweaks etc, why should I root my phone? And is there any advice/help for making my phone better out of the box?
My main reason is to block ads, web and YouTube.
Oh by the way welcome to the dark side. Lol
If ads don't bother you i personally wouldn't bother with all the trouble
I root mainly because of xposed/gravity box and ads blocker
waiflih said:
I root mainly because of xposed/gravity box and ads blocker
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What's that?
Root is not that hard. Go to this post scroll down to "Prebuilt boot image:" download the IMG and flash it.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76062554&postcount=1
I use root for several different things.
1) Get rid of Ads
2) Grant extra rights to an app called MacroDroid (This app allows you to fully automate your phone through macros, like setting up a rule that says when the phone connects to my work wi-fi then it automatically will switch to vibrate only. This particular rule does not require root but there are extra functions granted by root that allow you to pretty much create whatever kind of rule you want to suit your life. It's a very powerful app and useful app.)
3) Get access to the true file structure (or root) of the phone allowing you to change undercover things if you know what you are doing.
4) I have another app called Social Contact Photo sync that needs root to match up my phone contacts with their Facebook photos.
5) I have an app called Tiles that allows you to change out and add a few extra buttons to the quick menu in the pulldown tray.
6) This is probably the most important one though, Titanium Backup. This should be the first app you install after getting root. Not only does it back up the apps and things on your phone but it also saves the data within those apps. So any custom settings and whatnot you have made in the apps will be saved. It also has many many more features, such as cloud saves to Dropbox or Google Drive.
Ultimately though the real point of Rooting is to grant you admin access to do whatever you want with it, just the way a PC is. You own it, so make it yours.
lostnsound said:
I use root for several different things.
1) Get rid of Ads
2) Grant extra rights to an app called MacroDroid (This app allows you to fully automate your phone through macros, like setting up a rule that says when the phone connects to my work wi-fi then it automatically will switch to vibrate only. This particular rule does not require root but there are extra functions granted by root that allow you to pretty much create whatever kind of rule you want to suit your life. It's a very powerful app and useful app.)
3) Get access to the true file structure (or root) of the phone allowing you to change undercover things if you know what you are doing.
4) I have another app called Social Contact Photo sync that needs root to match up my phone contacts with their Facebook photos.
5) I have an app called Tiles that allows you to change out and add a few extra buttons to the quick menu in the pulldown tray.
6) This is probably the most important one though, Titanium Backup. This should be the first app you install after getting root. Not only does it back up the apps and things on your phone but it also saves the data within those apps. So any custom settings and whatnot you have made in the apps will be saved. It also has many many more features, such as cloud saves to Dropbox or Google Drive.
Ultimately though the real point of Rooting is to grant you admin access to do whatever you want with it, just the way a PC is. You own it, so make it yours.
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Awesome. That's very helpful and sounds like I'll be doing that then! One note, should I force the Oreo update first or leave it?
askylitangel said:
Awesome. That's very helpful and sounds like I'll be doing that then! One note, should I force the Oreo update first or leave it?
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Click to collapse
If you wanna try rooting i recommend you to back up your ohone ir sync it with google, then download the factory images of razer,
From here you can flash the factory images of oreo and have your phone factory reset, then from there set up your phone.
Oh to use the factiry images, you need to unlock your bootloader.
IM in the same boat, ive only ever owned iPhones going back to the 3GS the RazerPhone is my 1st Android phone too slowely getting use to it however the only problems i have is with lack of secuirty and OS updates that we are use to on Apple devices
iliais347 said:
If you wanna try rooting i recommend you to back up your ohone ir sync it with google, then download the factory images of razer,
From here you can flash the factory images of oreo and have your phone factory reset, then from there set up your phone.
Oh to use the factiry images, you need to unlock your bootloader.
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So how do I go about doing that?
There's always a guide
https://forum.xda-developers.com/razer-phone/how-to/guide-to-unlocking-bootloader-t3706462
Please be aware that unlocking your phone will delete all data so backup pictures etc
SeriousFlash said:
There's always a guide
https://forum.xda-developers.com/razer-phone/how-to/guide-to-unlocking-bootloader-t3706462
Please be aware that unlocking your phone will delete all data so backup pictures etc
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Click to collapse
So is it worth waiting on 3 to push the Oreo update? (I'm from UK) or should I unlock the bootloader and force the update?
If you want to root your phone just go for the unlocking and debranding your phone to get Oreo and the easy root.
If you don't want to root then wait for three I would say since Oreo doesn't bring too much new stuff besides autofill in apps and better Dolby Atmos
The guides are all pretty straight forward and if something goes wrong you can always flash the recovery images
SeriousFlash said:
If you want to root your phone just go for the unlocking and debranding your phone to get Oreo and the easy root.
If you don't want to root then wait for three I would say since Oreo doesn't bring too much new stuff besides autofill in apps and better Dolby Atmos
The guides are all pretty straight forward and if something goes wrong you can always flash the recovery images
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Awesome. Thank you so much! If I get lost you're the first person I'll ask for help aha
I should probs ask. But once it's rooted what do I do next? Like to block ads etc
Block Ads without a constantly running process by modifying the HOSTS file, OS Tweaks (L Speed, HEBF Optimizer, ect.), Better Customization (Substratum), more features you can use, Hack games with Game Gaurdian (Useful in games like City Racing 3D where you can hack the IAPs to get them free, because $100 for one car is too expensive), Bypass regional or device restrictions on the Play Store by spoofing a different devices specs.... and for my favorite root ability, ViPER Audio (Nothing sounds as near as good, not even Dolby Atmos)!
The list goes on and on... I love root. Most devices I use I root. However rooting voids your warranty. Also some devices have better development and are more stable, the Razer Phone is still new so it may be a while longer before we have more ROM options with root.
There are two types of root. System and Systemless (Recommended, especially for new users since a factory reset will often undo changes you made that may of bricked your phone when something went wrong)
FanboyStudios said:
Block Ads without a constantly running process by modifying the HOSTS file, OS Tweaks (L Speed, HEBF Optimizer, ect.), Better Customization (Substratum), more features you can use, Hack games with Game Gaurdian (Useful in games like City Racing 3D where you can hack the IAPs to get them free, because $100 for one car is too expensive), Bypass regional or device restrictions on the Play Store by spoofing a different devices specs.... and for my favorite root ability, ViPER Audio (Nothing sounds as near as good, not even Dolby Atmos)!
The list goes on and on... I love root. Most devices I use I root. However rooting voids your warranty. Also some devices have better development and are more stable, the Razer Phone is still new so it may be a while longer before we have more ROM options with root.
There are two types of root. System and Systemless (Recommended, especially for new users since a factory reset will often undo changes you made that may of bricked your phone when something went wrong)
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That sounds amazing tbh. Is there a tutorial for the systemless? And how would one go about installing the "add-ons" so to speak?
askylitangel said:
That sounds amazing tbh. Is there a tutorial for the systemless? And how would one go about installing the "add-ons" so to speak?
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Click to collapse
Personally I would wait until there's more development and things are more stable... but if you so ask...
First you should get TWRP. https://forum.xda-developers.com/razer-phone/development/twrp-razer-phone-t3727333 After installing, back everything up to your microSD card. Then you need to install Magisk (This is the systemless root, I usually myself don't use systemless root and I prefer system root as I'm more careful and I want some of my changes to stay even after a factory reset). After that, you may get Magisk modules which add functionality and use some root apps.
Just a quick note, it does seem like there are some minor bugs with the Oreo update on the Razer.
Me and my gf have matching razers and both our phones have stopped syncing voicemails to our dialer and our dialers keep crashing.
We have also had a problem with the phone becoming entirely unresponsive even to force power off and after about 5 minutes the OS would crash and reboot then it would be fine.
This all seems to be a bug within Oreo, the only other phone to ahve the update seems to be the Pixel phones and they seem to be reporting similar issues.
I never had these issues prior to the update and we have both had these phones since day one (very awesome phone by the way regardless of the issues).
I've had my Pixel 2 XL for 2 weeks now and am very impressed with all of the customizations. Quick question: is it worth it to root it? My bootloader is unlocked, BTW. What are some additional benefits it I choose to root it?
t4duzan said:
I've had my Pixel 2 XL for 2 weeks now and am very impressed with all of the customizations. Quick question: is it worth it to root it? My bootloader is unlocked, BTW. What are some additional benefits it I choose to root it?
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The "worth it" part is up to you. What is it you want to achieve? If you want to....
Flash custom roms and kernels..
Use add blocking and themes..
Install sound mods...
Or just customize the crap outa it.....then yes.
However, a word of caution, do your research into flashing procedures, and become very familiar with fastboot just in case something goes wrong, and you need to recover your device.
Also, if you use certain banking apps, they may not work if your rooted. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask. There are bunches of helpful people on XDA that are happy to help you. :good:
Badger50 said:
The "worth it" part is up to you. What is it you want to achieve? If you want to....
Flash custom roms and kernels..
Use add blocking and themes..
Install sound mods...
Or just customize the crap outa it.....then yes.
However, a word of caution, do your research into flashing procedures, and become very familiar with fastboot just in case something goes wrong, and you need to recover your device.
Also, if you use certain banking apps, they may not work if your rooted. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask. There are bunches of helpful people on XDA that are happy to help you. :good:
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Thanks for the advice and info Badger50. I think I'll do as you recommend and research it for awhile.
Also insurance apps detect root also and some games
Magisk is a great app for hiding root from these apps most of the time.
If you want to keep up to date on the monthly Google updates it can be a bit of a pain as you have to replace your boot image and kernel and even then can have issues with the way pixel handles the rom.
But with that said it's good to at least do it learn a bit about what goes into it see if it is good for you.
Good to have a backup phone and or know your restore procedures.
Pretty hard to brick a phone with the pixel phones.
Just have to follow some steps exactly the way they tell you.
I stay stock now because of the updates some times it takes me a day to get time to fix the phone to accept the update and work properly and I like having accu battery have history from start of the phone
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Taimen_#1
Without a doubt, hands down, currently I need Root. If the device has no solution then it's the last one I would pick. Currently I'm running Havoc with Magisk 18. I have the viper/Dolby sound benefits with my favorite Sony features & apps. Also I'm running lawnchair w/ quickswitch module. All in all I guess you could say I have a problem. Every since I learned I could update to KitKat instead of being stuck on stock gingerbread I've been rooting. Thanks:good:
If you have a warranty (sounds like you bought it used) or you have have insurance they will be void if you are unable to restore to stock.
That's why I don't root.
Just something to be aware of.
One of the best and ultimate reasons to root is to be able to take a nandroid backup that's better than any non-rooted backup method! It will literally backup and remember everything (due to all of this residing in the /data partition)! Your homescreen, settings, app and its data,down to every little thing!
Being able to move the clock back to the right, modify so it's better on battery life and cpu quickness, enjoy extra features in apps, and many other "tweaks" are secondary but very enjoyable and satisfactory...
it's an interesting question to me, because this is the first phone that I have decided not to bother rooting. It is also my first pixel/Nexus which I think is part of the reason. In the past getting rid of bloat and many of the controlling aspects from carriers was important to me. With the pixel, there is very little of that. Plus it just works, I'm not working around issues.
maybe I'm getting old, but to me the phone is now something I want to use not something I want to play with. When I root the phone, I have to keep up with security updates and I'm usually also fixing and patching things from trying different mods. So far the pure Android experience from Google has proven reasonably reliable and stable, and it just doesn't seem worth the hassle anymore. I will continue to buy phones I can root, how's that may change at some point.
Right now, my opinion is, for me, there is no need to root
I haven't unlocked my bootloader or rooted since the first pixel. I use adguard premium and YouTube vanced. Currently, absolutely no need for root anymore. Just my two cents.
simplepinoi177 said:
One of the best and ultimate reasons to root is to be able to take a nandroid backup that's better than any non-rooted backup method! It will literally backup and remember everything (due to all of this residing in the /data partition)! Your homescreen, settings, app and its data,down to every little thing!
Being able to move the clock back to the right, modify so it's better on battery life and cpu quickness, enjoy extra features in apps, and many other "tweaks" are secondary but very enjoyable and satisfactory...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything related to apps and app data. Anything on the internal sdcard, not so much.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app