Develop Bugs

Some questions on rooting

This is my first android phone, so bear with me if anything I ask is obvious.
1. What are the limitations of temp root? Obviously it's not practical to install a custom ROM, but what about things like juice defender, changing the status bar skin, etc?
2. What are the security risks of rooting the phone? I've heard there are files that are only protected by permissions instead of encryption for example. Plus my linux experience makes me wary of the implied running as root.
3. If I root the phone, I assume I can back up non-market, paid apps like Launcher Pro to reload safely after rooting or installing a custom mod, right?
4. Aside from the status bar, setting the CPU, and being able to remove the pre-installed apps, what other benefits does root offer? (I bought my phone unlocked already)
Sent from my T-Mobile G2

OK, I'm sending this from my phone so bare with me if things aren't as crisp and percise.
Some of the advantages to rooting means you get permanent, (almost) unrestricted access to anything you want your phone to do. This means that you can flash things like kernels and radios for better performance, overclock the device, and do things such as make the little LED light up when you get a text message and wake up the phone by pressing the action button.
With you being temp rooted, that means once you reboot the phone you'll lose root. The only benifit is if you want to apply a mod that requires root to modify, but not root to run. Once you reboot, you loose root, but can keep the mod.
You're right in the regards that once you root you can modify files that can hurt the phone, but the keyword in that sentence is YOU. If you don't want to mod those files then don't. No one has a gun to your head, you know?
I was nervous about rooting my phone but following the guides I was able to easily do it with no trouble. Now that I'm rooted I'm running a custom rom, my own theme, custom settings, and am overclocked. Just because I can.
Also, use the search function next time. There's plenty of FAQs about rooting, pros and cons, stuff like that. Have fun with your phone.
Sent from my phone which was more than my rent

[Q] Unlocking Bootloader and Rooting

Hey guys, sorry if this has already been answered somewhere else but I couldn't find it anywhere.
I bought a Galaxy Nexus a couple weeks ago and am loving it (except for battery life) and am interested in rooting it. But I have a few questions first:
1. What is the difference between unlocking the bootloader and rooting a phone. I know what unlocking a bootloader is, but I don't know much about rooting.
2. If I unlock and root, will I still be able to get updates from Google directly wihtout issues? Like, will I get the 4.0.3 update whenever it comes out even if I'm rooted?
3. Will my warranty be voided if I unlock the bootloader?
4. And if I do root it, what ROMs do you guys suggest I use? Which ones are the smoothest in performance and give the best battery life and customizations etc?
5. There is a new unlock/root tool made for the SGN, shown here: droid-life.com /2012/01/04/simple-galaxy-nexus-lte-rootunlock-and-unrootre-lock-tool-released/
Is it as effective as unlocking and rooting manually or does it have some drawbacks since it does everything for you automatically? BTW, thanks to whoever made that tool.
I know these are dumb questions but I'm new at this, so please bear with me. Thanks for any help in advance!

Peesashiz said:
Hey guys, sorry if this has already been answered somewhere else but I couldn't find it anywhere.
I bought a Galaxy Nexus a couple weeks ago and am loving it (except for battery life) and am interested in rooting it. But I have a few questions first:
1. What is the difference between unlocking the bootloader and rooting a phone. I know what unlocking a bootloader is, but I don't know much about rooting.
2. If I unlock and root, will I still be able to get updates from Google directly wihtout issues? Like, will I get the 4.0.3 update whenever it comes out even if I'm rooted?
3. Will my warranty be voided if I unlock the bootloader?
4. And if I do root it, what ROMs do you guys suggest I use? Which ones are the smoothest in performance and give the best battery life and customizations etc?
5. There is a new unlock/root tool made for the SGN, shown here: droid-life.com /2012/01/04/simple-galaxy-nexus-lte-rootunlock-and-unrootre-lock-tool-released/
Is it as effective as unlocking and rooting manually or does it have some drawbacks since it does everything for you automatically? BTW, thanks to whoever made that tool.
I know these are dumb questions but I'm new at this, so please bear with me. Thanks for any help in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) I have an app called All About Root which should answer the majority of all basic questions and even some advanced technical ones regarding root.
2) Yes, if you're still on stock and dont change/modify any of the stock apk/framework files. Once the OTA update finishes, root access will be removed and a stock recovery will be reloaded. Will have to fastboot flash the custom recovery back and set the permissions back on root (permissions are a topic in All About Root)
3) Depends on who is covering the warranty or another way to put it, who/where/how device was purchased.
5) I would always recommend learning the manual method. Once you load the android-sdk, which is needed for many customizations, the unlock is a simple command and learning adb/fastboot will be very useful in the future for most operations.
Hope that helps! I'm sure others will chime in with their opinions and experiences to cover any gaps I might have missed. Good luck!

1) Unlocking allows you to modify the kernel and flash custom roms. Rooting allows you root access to the OS. Root is the equivalent of an admin in windows, but in the context of android it gives you write access to the full device. Basically it allows you to access lower level system functions (ie droidwall is a gui for iptables which is a firewall).
2)My understanding is that if you unlock and root, you'll be running a custom recovery (clockwork). I'm not sure if that means you won't see the OTA or if it'll just revert to stock or it may not work at all. Perhaps someone else can explain, but frankly when you get to #4 I don't see any reason why OTA updates are relevant.
3) I think the bootload can be relocked so even if it does void the warranty it can be reversed. Whether or not they can tell that it has been unlocked I don't know, and if they wanted to find a reason to deny a warranty I'm sure they could find one whether or not it's unlocked. I'd be surprised if they denied it though since the nexus devices are important because they can be unlocked.
4) I've used Axiom pretty much since the day after I got my phone. Most of them are all the same 4.0.3 core just various modifications to 'improve' the experience. The one other rom I'd look at is kang's because it's based on CM9. Kernels are another issue from there - I've liked both leankernel and franco's. Note that you should check out the forums over at rootzwiki as their dev area seems more active than around here. The kernel is the main source of battery and performance boosts.
5) I would recommend attempting it manually. The most difficult part imo is getting the drivers installed and the device recognized by adb. From there it's just executing a single line to unlocked. Unlocking will wipe your data. I'll say it again...unlocking will wipe your data. I used superboot myself, but if you're going to a custom rom then getting root access is really only needed temporarily to get clockwork installed - any custom rom has root access already. Here's a link to superboot. I *think* you just execute it from your computer (its a batch file) and it will root the device for you. I'm not sure if it installs clockworkmod so the first thing you should do after booting is download rom manager and reflash recovery to be sure. Then you can use clockworkmod to move to a rom.
Happy flashing.

[Q] The first thing to do with an Xplay?

Ok. I would be glad if someone could point me in the right direction here, and answer this question.
I am planning on buying an Xplay, mainly for phoning and gaming. I am very keen on keeping the Xplay "clean" and fast, and therefore wish to remove all bloatware from the beginning.
Could someone point me in a direction to where to start when I first unpack my phone? Should I accept all the updates and so on? What´s the best thing to do if I want to remove the bloatware. I might as well say that I´m pretty much a beginner when it comes to all the terms "rooting" and stuff. But I want to do it a safe way, without taking risks of breaking or bricking anything.
Thanks.

Some of the bloatware can be simply uninstalled, some cannot. For the latter you need to root your phone. I like to use SuperOneClick for rooting. Note that some firmwares (the ones whose version ends with .62 or greater) cannot be rooted, so I wouldn't update to them.
Once rooted, removing the bloatware is pretty simple. The most common way is to use Titanium Backup to uninstall it or you can even do it manually by deleting the relevant .apk files from /system/app.

Root your phone ,this is the first step that you must to do. After rooting ,you can remove bloatware from your phone and gain more free space on you internal memory.
I think that the best rooting way is the (zergRush Method):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1312859
After rooting ,download 'Root Explorer' ,go to system/app and remove all the things you don't need.

If you are getting an AT&T Xplay I would suggest installing the generic north American rom which is 2.3.4 and missing the AT&T bloat. I backed up the games from the stock rom first then installed the NA rom and reinstalled them.

First use pc companion and install the latest update. Then root and remove bloat and get everything set up like your contacts and apps. After that install cwm and make a nandroid backup and start flashing roms! Back-up your info if the rom won't carry it over. Optional: Unlock bootloader before roms. There are plenty of stock based roms to for people with locked bootloaders.

EDIT: Don't do the below, just read you don't want risk!
1. Unlock the bootloader
2. Use flashtool to install a generic ROM .FTF file (.368 has CRT animation but is old, .42 is good, .62 is good)
3. Install a kernel (DooM's is great). This will allow you to overclock, and give automatic ROOT (no need to exploit or install anything else)
4. Buy/acquire an app called "Titanium Backup" (it needs ROOT to run), and check the guide in these forums for which apps are safe to remove

The first thing to do? Here's a list:
1. READ everything you can find related to your model version of the Play. There are different versions depending on where you are in the world and who your service provider is. If you have a GSM capable phone (Europe, Canada, ATT in US just to name a few), you will have a lot more modification options available. If you have a CDMA capable phone (Verizon), you have fewer choices but there are more coming almost every day.
2. READ again - you know you only understood maybe a 10th of what you just read!
3. POST specific questions AFTER you have searched the forums. Don't be afraid to try Google - that's what it's there for.
4. THINK !!! - what is it that you expect to get from modifying your phone that it doesn't do now? If you just want to remove bloatware, you can simply root, install a custom recovery, make a backup and then go to town. No need for unlocking the bootloader or loading a custom rom.
5. SLOW DOWN !!! - don't be in such a hurry to modify your phone that you leap before you look. Most bricked phones could be avoided in the first place by taking time to understand the steps involved before making changes.
6. DON'T PANIC !!! - There are very few things you can do to your phone that the experienced folks here on the forums can't help you resolved.
7. HAVE FUN !!!
---------- Post added at 01:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:14 AM ----------
Potato13 said:
First use pc companion and install the latest update. Then root and remove bloat and get everything set up like your contacts and apps. After that install cwm and make a nandroid backup and start flashing roms! Back-up your info if the rom won't carry it over. Optional: Unlock bootloader before roms. There are plenty of stock based roms to for people with locked bootloaders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not necessarily. If you install some of the latest updates, you no longer can root. That's why some research needs to be done first.

Search google and read xda forums on a daily basis. That's the shortest route lol
1. Root using zergrush or use flashtool rooting feature
2. Unlock bootloader (this will void your warranty)
3. Install clockworkmod 5.0.2.7 for xperia phones (get it free on play store fka android market)
4. Install titanium backup and perform batch backup of your apps to your sd card
5. Get doomlord's kernel v11 (link is on my signature) and wifi modules
6. Reboot into recovery and hold down or tap volume down to enter CWM recovery
7. Flash the kernel, then reboot and flash the wifi module
8. Flash your custom rom
9. There your phone is bricked! Haha

netizenmt said:
4. THINK !!! - what is it that you expect to get from modifying your phone that it doesn't do now? If you just want to remove bloatware, you can simply root, install a custom recovery, make a backup and then go to town. No need for unlocking the bootloader or loading a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the input.
The only thing that I plan to do, is probably just remove bloatware and nothing more. So I guess it´s just down to rooting the phone then, and delete the things that I don´t want? No need for unlocking bootloaders etc.?
Is there a list of what stuff that can be deleted? Or other things that can be achieved by only rooting the phone?
And the last question. Is it totally ok to accept android updates after the rooting and removing of bloatware?

silmes said:
Thanks for the input.
The only thing that I plan to do, is probably just remove bloatware and nothing more. So I guess it´s just down to rooting the phone then, and delete the things that I don´t want? No need for unlocking bootloaders etc.?
Is there a list of what stuff that can be deleted? Or other things that can be achieved by only rooting the phone?
And the last question. Is it totally ok to accept android updates after the rooting and removing of bloatware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you aren't going to get into custom kernels and overclocking, then no, you can do what you want without unlocking the bootloader.
There are some links in General and here in Q & A that make suggestions of what can be removed safely.
If you only rooted and didn't remove anything, you could accept updates. If you remove bloatware, the update won't even install. That's why I suggest installing CWM (ClockWorkMod) Recovery and doing a Nandroid Backup after you root but before you debloat.
Here are some useful links for you:
Rooted (Locked Bootloader) Phone - App Removal (Safe List)
[GUIDE] R800x owners - You got Custom ROM questions? I've got Answers!
The second one there was one I posted up for R800x users with locked bootloaders. It was all the stuff I had to glean for myself when mine was locked.
Hope this helps.

Sigh...hope this isn't too late.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=23845116#post23845116

First thing: Root right away with Flashtool (http://androxyde.github.com/) and don't listen to the others, the Flashtool nowdays contains the Exploit that you need and it works perfect to root on 2.3.4 (I did it myself when I root'd mine the first time).
I am planning on buying an Xplay, mainly for phoning and gaming. I am very keen on keeping the Xplay "clean" and fast, and therefore wish to remove all bloatware from the beginning.
I recommend the Titanium Backup as all the others, and you can use this list as help: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1046699&highlight=remove+app+list
Could someone point me in a direction to where to start when I first unpack my phone? Should I accept all the updates and so on?
Yes, do that first of all before you go ahead and root your device.

Q: Could someone point me in a direction to where to start when I first unpack my phone? Should I accept all the updates and so on?
A: Yes, do that first of all before you go ahead and root your device.
The interesting thing is that the answer to this seems to differ on who you ask. Further back in this thread, someone advised me NOT to update, as it might lead to problems when trying to root my phone. What´s the deal here?

silmes said:
Q: Could someone point me in a direction to where to start when I first unpack my phone? Should I accept all the updates and so on?
A: Yes, do that first of all before you go ahead and root your device.
The interesting thing is that the answer to this seems to differ on who you ask. Further back in this thread, someone advised me NOT to update, as it might lead to problems when trying to root my phone. What´s the deal here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you update to the .62 firmware you can't root.
Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk

silmes said:
Q: Could someone point me in a direction to where to start when I first unpack my phone? Should I accept all the updates and so on?
A: Yes, do that first of all before you go ahead and root your device.
The interesting thing is that the answer to this seems to differ on who you ask. Further back in this thread, someone advised me NOT to update, as it might lead to problems when trying to root my phone. What´s the deal here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because it differs between models and some people aren't aware of that, while others like to be argumentative!
If you have a Verizon R800x Play, our firmware only goes up to Version 2.3.3 (3.0.1.E.0.88). If yours comes with 2.3.2, you're safe to update. You will be able to root with no problem.
If you have one of the other phones, you can apply updates below 4.0.2.A.0.62 and still root. .62 and higher, no root.
Check out this thread [HOW-TO] Root Phones w/ Android v2.2.x-2.3.x (zergRush Method) for additional information.

[Q] Can I root, load a custom ROM, then unroot? (while keeping the custom ROM)

I'm pretty new to Android but I thought to run custom ROMs you had to be rooted but someone mentioned that it might be possible to root, load a custom ROM, then unroot while keeping the custom ROM?
I have corporate email through Mobile Iron and it does not allow rooted devices. I'd like to be able to use a custom ROM but wasn't aware that it might be possible.
Through search I found this but it was somewhat inconclusive and it's for a Galaxy Note: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1766538

You can do that, but highly not recommended. The ROM itself might need root access to control certain options. Also, there isn't anything bad about keeping root.
Swyped on my Galaxy Nexus running AOKP with Franco Kernel

yes, very possible. you dont need root to have a custom recovery. you can always flash a rom of choice and delete the superuser binaries and app.then you wont have root. and youll still be able to flash other roms(youll have to delete the root stuff again). just temwber that without root some option in the rom wont work.

You don't need to "root" to install a custom ROM. You just need to unlock the bootloader and use a custom recovery to flash it.
After you've installed the ROM, feel free to remove the root access, or simply disallow apps from being granted superuser access. Just be aware that many features in ROMs are created with the assumption that the user will keep the phone rooted, so they may not work properly (or at all) when you remove root privilages.

I am in the same exact situation. I just stumbled upon this post. I run Bugless Beast on my GNex and I asked the dev if it could be unrooted by removing SU and superuser and the answer was yes. I won't find out if thats the case until January, but if you get it to work please post here. I am going to be the admin for our MobileIron deployment but I don't have enough pull to make a separate policy for myself that allows root. Don't really wanna lose my job

mgs333 said:
I'm pretty new to Android but I thought to run custom ROMs you had to be rooted but someone mentioned that it might be possible to root, load a custom ROM, then unroot while keeping the custom ROM?
I have corporate email through Mobile Iron and it does not allow rooted devices. I'd like to be able to use a custom ROM but wasn't aware that it might be possible.
Through search I found this but it was somewhat inconclusive and it's for a Galaxy Note: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1766538
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can but shouldn't. Due to because the rom itself might need root access to run. Lets say you overclocked or underclocked then root access is required from when you boot into your phone otherwise. Well I don't know after that. But to answer you question yes you can.

No solution for perma-root, is custom rom still possible?

This may come off as a silly question but, I"m aware that AT&T and Verizon versions of the Note 4 there is no way to root it permanently but, even if you can temporary root it, is it still possible to install a custom rom? I'm in the process of downgrading from lollipop right now (I hate the new notifications) but just figure I'd ask.

Locked boot loader, no custom ROMs
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A

Thanks! guess that means i'll stick with kit kat and nova launcher for now.

MO3iusONE said:
This may come off as a silly question but, I"m aware that AT&T and Verizon versions of the Note 4 there is no way to root it permanently but, even if you can temporary root it, is it still possible to install a custom rom? I'm in the process of downgrading from lollipop right now (I hate the new notifications) but just figure I'd ask.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
without permanent root, no there is no way to flash a custom rom, if we get permanent then we can use flashfire or multisystem to flash custom roms (touchwiz only no CM or AOSP variants)

Eliminating ATT bloatware & S-bloatware
cstayton said:
without permanent root, no there is no way to flash a custom rom, if we get permanent then we can use flashfire or multisystem to flash custom roms (touchwiz only no CM or AOSP variants)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been wondering if it may be possible to eliminate all the bloatware from ATT and all bloatware from Samsung, by way of using the Kingroot process > then install Ti-Backup > then DELETE not freeze those applications.
Will such a thing work ? even if one may loose root after rebooting?
I there a possibility that that attempting something like that may cause a major crash on my phone?
In other words, I would like to be able to rid myself from all that bloatware that came with my out of the box N910-A i know about the disable feature on the apps manager, but i want those apps OUT.
Thanks in advance for any help that you can offer.
And I am STILL hoping for PERMA-root sometime in the near future

IC-USER1 said:
I have been wondering if it may be possible to eliminate all the bloatware from ATT and all bloatware from Samsung, by way of using the Kingroot process > then install Ti-Backup > then DELETE not freeze those applications.
Will such a thing work ? even if one may loose root after rebooting?
I there a possibility that that attempting something like that may cause a major crash on my phone?
In other words, I would like to be able to rid myself from all that bloatware that came with my out of the box N910-A i know about the disable feature on the apps manager, but i want those apps OUT.
Thanks in advance for any help that you can offer.
And I am STILL hoping for PERMA-root sometime in the near future
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unfortunately no that wont work, if you delete or modify the system partition IN ANY WAY it will cause the DM_VERITY to kick in. until we get past the OS Verification and write protection we cant delete or modify anything.

collinstheclown said:
Locked boot loader, no custom ROMs
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
many devices with locked bootloaders have custom roms, The S5 for instance. it's not the locked bootloader that is preventing custom roms it is the need for permanent root, once we have that we can use flashfire or multirom to flash custom touchwiz roms. what the locked bootloader prevents is the ability to flash custom kernels thus preventing roms based off of CM or AOSP/AOKP

Thank you for your Very fast and friendly reply. Have yourself a good day.