Develop Bugs

[Q] Root vs Bootloader Unlock

I am pretty sure this has been asked/mentioned before, but to be honest, I really dont feel like looking through/over hundreds of posts and comments trying to get a true solid answer.
My question is, plain and simple. What is/are the major differences between rooting the Galaxy Nexus version 4.0.2 Android and unlocking the bootloader on it ?
I have been searching and so far it looks or sounds like you need to do one before the other, one of them is good for restoring files or something, etc. I have also read that if you are just trying to get the 4.0.4 Android update without having to wait on Verizon stupidity, I can unlock the bootloader, flash the update (or whatever its called) and it will be as if my GNex is rooted, but when I reboot it, it will be stock with all the new stuff that comes with the update, anybody know if this is true or not ?

Unlocking the bootloader just gives you access to the utilities like fastboot that let you root and ROM your device. It removes the "security" that gets in the way of hooking up the phone to a computer and having full control.
Rooting is the process of giving yourself "superuser" (think of it like Administrator) access on the device. Rooting itself doesn't do anything for you, its more about giving apps you install more control of the device.
If you unlock the bootloader to flash an update, you are not rooting your device. You're just flashing a file.
Rooting and unlocking are often confused because on many phones, they're both in the same process and you rarely do one without the other. Usually "rooting" is a catch-all word for modifying your device and changing the software.

Rooting allows you to customize your os. It gives you root access (ie access to everything). To root the nexus you must unlock the bootloader.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

I was wondering the same thing, thanks for the answers.

bwcorvus said:
Rooting allows you to customize your os. It gives you root access (ie access to everything). To root the nexus you must unlock the bootloader.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted my nexus without unlocking the boot loader. Via exploit
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

will Verizon Galaxy Nexus OTA come to my phone?

Hey Guys,
I used the galaxy nexus root kit to unlock my bootloader and to root my phone (I didn't install a custom rom, I just used what was default on the program after backing up my phone)
Here are my questions:
1) will I receive the official OTA upgrade / be able to install it?
2) If I am able to will that re-lock the bootloader on my phone?
I'm pretty hesitant to install any custom rom of Jellybean since I've had problems with them in the past almost leading up to a bricked phone, so I just wanted to make sure that the OTA will come to my phone, and that it'll work after I being installing it.
Thanks!
~Mike

If I remember right, if you don't have a custom recovery installed, you should still be able to get the OTA.

hmmm well I know that there is clockworksmod on here, but nothing else. I know thats a recovery program... I wonder if I should just flash the google asop direct from google for my verizon nexus :\

My understanding of the matter is that once you are rooted with a custom recovery, you should steer clear of OTA updates. They can definitely break root and have the potential to hard brick the device. This information is from my experiences with an Evo, so things may be different with the Nexus. I've only had mine for a month or so and haven't done enough reading yet to say for certain. If you really want the OTA there is a one-click method to return to stock over in the development section. Haven't been in that thread yet, so I don't know what kind of success/failure rate it's getting. Just read the last couple of pages and you should have a pretty fair idea of how it's going. If it seems doubtful, there are also several excellent guides for doing it manually. efrant has a link to one in his sig I think. Hope this helps!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

The OTA won't auto-install if you have CWM recovery flashed. You can use CWM to flash the update manually, but it will never work automatically.

Any reason NOT to root brand new GNEX?

I'm receiving a new Galaxy Nexus in the mail today. I'm new to the Android world but this site has been extremely helpful in explaining the capabilitys of this OS. Since I've never used Android I don't completely understand the pros/cons to rooting my device. A lot of posts say "you have to do it to understand the benefits" or something of that nature. I understand that once you root you can change your ROM, kernel, navigate all file folders, use certain apps that require superuser access, etc. As of now, I'm not sure I'd want to do any of that. I may want to in the future when I see some limitations that could be bypassed by rooting, but for now I would like to keep the stock ROM, kernel, etc.
It's possible to keep everything stock when rooted, correct? So it would function the same as a stock device but would have the potential to be modified later. If an updated Android OS version is released, can I download and install it the same as anyone with an unrooted stock device?
Is there any disadvantage to rooting? Why would anyone NOT root their device? I'm just thinking that if I'd do it eventually, I might as well do it right now when there are no valuable files/apps/etc. that I'd have to worry about backing up.

People often root to flash aosp roms otherwise not available on htc or galaxy s phones
Aosp also in many cases gave better battery life than their skinned cousins
But on nexus phones and jelly bean I don't see much of one other than to experiment or to use addons like roms such as codename android and baked bean give
--------
Sent from my Jelly Bean powered Nexus Snarf 4G

The main reason I root is for Titanium Backup. That is probably the only way to migrate apps (with data) from one device to another.
Also nandroid (Clockworkmod Recovery) backup is useful if you want to experiment with different ROMs and can restore stock and apps easily.
On a side note: Don't like CWM 6 when backup creates a huge BLOB directory structure. Not convenient to backup your backup to PC.

Backups
Free Tethering
Block ads
etc

Tethering is enabled already. Ah u probably must be talking about the us version. I have the international one.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

I root for Paranoid Android and Titanium Backup. Two things I can't be without once getting used to them.
But really. Installing Titanium Backup almost feels like a necessity on Any phone to freeze/backup apps detach them from market etc.

I appreciate the responses but you guys aren't really answering my questions...
It's possible to keep everything stock when rooted, correct?
If an updated Android OS version is released, can I download and install it the same as anyone with an unrooted stock device?
Is there any disadvantage to rooting? Why would anyone NOT root their device?

bchaney16 said:
I appreciate the responses but you guys aren't really answering my questions...
It's possible to keep everything stock when rooted, correct?
If an updated Android OS version is released, can I download and install it the same as anyone with an unrooted stock device?
Is there any disadvantage to rooting? Why would anyone NOT root their device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can be stock & rooted. Root by itself will not affect an OTA. The only reason to root is if YOU gain something. If your phone dose everything you want without root then there is no reason to root.

bchaney16 said:
I appreciate the responses but you guys aren't really answering my questions...
It's possible to keep everything stock when rooted, correct?
If an updated Android OS version is released, can I download and install it the same as anyone with an unrooted stock device?
Is there any disadvantage to rooting? Why would anyone NOT root their device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes u can stay stock and rooted.
If u root and take an update you will most likely loose root or you will have to unroot before u can take the update. One of the 2.
Biggest disadvantage is that it voids warranty. But no big deal if u no how to go back to stock.
People that don't root probably don't because they don't how, are scared to and/or they don't want to void that precious warranty.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

bchaney16 said:
I appreciate the responses but you guys aren't really answering my questions...
1. It's possible to keep everything stock when rooted, correct?
2. If an updated Android OS version is released, can I download and install it the same as anyone with an unrooted stock device?
3. Is there any disadvantage to rooting? Why would anyone NOT root their device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes
2. Yes. Though root disappears if you update officially OTA. So then you need to re-root. If you would also unlock bootloader and install CWM you can not update OTA.
3. Umm. I guess some manufacturers claims that warranty is void when rooting. That's pretty much the only not-to reason I can think of. If rooted only and don't "use it" you won't even notice you're rooted.

bchaney16 said:
I'm just thinking that if I'd do it eventually, I might as well do it right now when there are no valuable files/apps/etc. that I'd have to worry about backing up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's unlocking the bootlaoder (fastbbot oem unlock) that will (not Play Store devices) wipe the device, not rooting (though the easiest way to root is to unlock the bootloader).

Ok I think its becoming more clear now.
I ordered mine unlocked from the Play Store. Does that mean the bootloader is already unlocked?
How often does an OTA come out anyway?

bchaney16 said:
Ok I think its becoming more clear now.
I ordered mine unlocked from the Play Store. Does that mean the bootloader is already unlocked?
How often does an OTA come out anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, that refers to SIM unlocked, not tied to a specific carrier.
[REF] efrant's "Android for Galaxy Nexus" 101 & FAQs
If your new to Android this is a good place to start getting acquainted with the terminoligy & procedures

Right, I know it is carrier unlocked. So a Play Store GNEX still has a locked bootloader but unlocking it does not erase your files...
If that's the case I guess there's no downside to waiting until I see a good reason to unlock and root. I was thinking that I should do this on my brand new phone so that it wouldn't have any files on it that I'd need to backup. It sounds like I wouldn't have to worry about backing up regardless.

The only reason I can think of to unlock the bootloader straight away (& it's arguably a good one) ...
If for some reason your phone won't boot into android you could fastboot boot a custom recovery & have adb access to pull files from the virtual sdcard.

Rooting is the best thing to happen to Android phones. Do it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

bchaney16 said:
Right, I know it is carrier unlocked. So a Play Store GNEX still has a locked bootloader but unlocking it does not erase your files...
If that's the case I guess there's no downside to waiting until I see a good reason to unlock and root. I was thinking that I should do this on my brand new phone so that it wouldn't have any files on it that I'd need to backup. It sounds like I wouldn't have to worry about backing up regardless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it will. Unlocking the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock will erase /sdcard. Does not matter if you get if from the play store or not. But like you said, if the device is brand new it doesn't matter anyway.
Side note: recently an exploit is discovered that allows to gain root without unlocking the bootloader. And if you have root, you can unlock/lock the bootloader at will without losing data. Follow the link in my signature for more info.

Petrovski80 said:
Yes it will. Unlocking the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock will erase /sdcard. Does not matter if you get if from the play store or not. But like you said, if the device is brand new it doesn't matter anyway.
Side note: recently an exploit is discovered that allows to gain root without unlocking the bootloader. And if you have root, you can unlock/lock the bootloader at will without losing data. Follow the link in my signature for more info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There were numerous reports that Play Store phones did NOT wipe all data when the bootloader was unlocked, I know mine didn't

3rdstring said:
There were numerous reports that Play Store phones did NOT wipe all data when the bootloader was unlocked, I know mine didn't
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was your /sdcard partition untouched after oem unlock?

Petrovski80 said:
Was your /sdcard partition untouched after oem unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the data partition was untouched. All my apps & sdcard data was still there.
[DISCUSSION] Google Play Nexus not wiping after Bootloader Unlock

Rooting & Rom'ing

Okay, I think I know the answer to this question, so forgive me. Just want to be sure before I go blow $500.
For the Nexus devices, regardless of the carrier, we'll be able to root them and ROM them as well as install new Kernel's because the bootloaders will be unlocked?
If that's correct please say so. If it's only partially correct, please explain it all to me.
Disgruntled Verizon User with a S6 Edge
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!!

Yes, its easy as pie.

nexuses are always devs favorites...

@mrbigdrawsz As a fellow Verizon user, I know exactly were your coming from. And yes since this is a nexus device coming directly from Google and not being sold or touched by Verizon, it will be good to go for all your rooting, ROM'ing, Bootloader unlocking, and custom kernel needs.

Yes! Though I am not sure about the Pixel C. I am wondering if Google giving products the Pixel name means they lock them down? Sorry, little off topic.

I'm only curious how/if Google has the fingerprint security locked down when it comes to root

shimp208 said:
@mrbigdrawsz As a fellow Verizon user, I know exactly were your coming from. And yes since this is a nexus device coming directly from Google and not being sold or touched by Verizon, it will be good to go for all your rooting, ROM'ing, Bootloader unlocking, and custom kernel needs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank the sweet, tiny, infant squishy baby Jesus! I have yet to own a nexus phone (fed up with my GS5) and am about to pre order the 5X. I miss getting to try out different roms and such, so i'm really pumped about the 5X. the 6P is just too big of a phone for me i think.
Forgive me if this has been covered elsewhere, is there any word on xposed for android M?

owenrg said:
Forgive me if this has been covered elsewhere, is there any word on xposed for android M?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are still working out the bugs on getting it to run on 5.x completely as they want and those devs on the Xposed team do a phenomenal job. Support for 6.0 marshmallow will eventually come but it will be a little bit yet.

If I unlock bootload, will I have problem with OTA?

shimp208 said:
They are still working out the bugs on getting it to run on 5.x completely as they want and those devs on the Xposed team do a phenomenal job. Support for 6.0 marshmallow will eventually come but it will be a little bit yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome thanks!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

menaceinc said:
If I unlock bootload, will I have problem with OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you just unlock the bootloader you will be fine for OTA's, if you root or then install a custom recovery then you'll have to apply the OTA updates a different way then usual.

Thanks, I will just do that, unlocking bootloader. I really missed OTA as my current N5 is rooted.
shimp208 said:
If you just unlock the bootloader you will be fine for OTA's, if you root or then install a custom recovery then you'll have to apply the OTA updates a different way then usual.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

shimp208 said:
If you just unlock the bootloader you will be fine for OTA's, if you root or then install a custom recovery then you'll have to apply the OTA updates a different way then usual.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will rooting affect OTA? or will OTA just update and revert the device back to a non rooted state?

Tank87 said:
Will rooting affect OTA? or will OTA just update and revert the device back to a non rooted state?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my experience, installing an OTA over a rooted phone would just kill root and you'd have to root it again, however, installing a custom ROM, the developer usually kills OTA so that all the custom stuff doesn't get jacked up.

Tank87 said:
Will rooting affect OTA? or will OTA just update and revert the device back to a non rooted state?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting will effect the built in method of OTA updates. This is not a problem though. 99% of the time you will have access to the updated via the nexus factory image site before you receive notification of an OTA update on your device. Download the update and extract the boot, bootloader, radio, and system images. Flash via fastboot in bootloader mode and you will update your device without losing data/settings. I believe that you can flash img files with recent TWRP builds also.
To root after update just reboot to TWRP recovery and reboot. You will be prompted to install root before system reboots.
May seem a little overwhelming if its your first nexus device but a lot easier than updating a non nexus rooted Android device.
For more info check out any one of the recent nexus routing guides sticky threads

I know many people rooted etc their Nexus 5s using the Wugfresh Nexus Root ToolKit. Undoubtably a version will be introduced for the 5X,
If you root your device then flash a custom rom, you will be notified of the update via OTA or otherwise (eg Pushbullet) for that specific rom that you have flashed.

SlyUK said:
I know many people rooted etc their Nexus 5s using the Wugfresh Nexus Root ToolKit. Undoubtably a version will be introduced for the 5X,
If you root your device then flash a custom rom, you will be notified of the update via OTA or otherwise (eg Pushbullet) for that specific rom that you have flashed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why use a Toolkit to root? Just using ADB and Fastboot is better/easier since you can actually see what is happening during the process. Using a toolkit removes that element and if it hangs you don't where in the process it failed on.

metpage said:
Why use a Toolkit to root? Just using ADB and Fastboot is better/easier since you can actually see what is happening during the process. Using a toolkit removes that element and if it hangs you don't where in the process it failed on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes thats true, but I haven't heard of many people who have had problems with Wugfresh and it is a popular method. Everyone is different

I always rooted my Nexus (N4, N5 & N7), but I am not going to root my new upcoming Nexus 5X. Why? It just too much to flash/root since Google will release monthly security updates. Yes, I did use "fastboot flash xxx xxx.img" method. However, I will unlock the bootloader in case I change my mind in the future. With unlocked bootloader, I can always fix phone via flash factory images.

Should I root my Nexus 7?

Will it be good to root my Nexus 7 and what will be the precautions that should be taken after rooting it ,as I have heard about accidentally update can u make it clear for me.
And I also want to know that will I lose Android updates after rooting or custom ROM as Android update is the best part of Nexus.
I also want to know should I root my Nexus 7 (2013) or custom ROM it first.
Please give a brief sketch about custom ROM and rooting .which is safe ,easier,and how to root and custom ROM Nexus 7 and what are the precautions to be taken while doing this.
I would be very thankful for u...

Before you root I recommend you back up your data. Then unlock the bootloader. This will wipe all your data. Root has pros and cons. For starters, if you are on 5.0+ it's updates will fail to install. There are many to it techniques, but the easiest for me was to use the nexus root toolkit by wugfresh. Custom operating systems usually have more features, but usually more bugs as well. I own two nexus 7s. One is running 5.1.1 with the latest version of Xposed, the other has the custom ROM called VRToxin which is far more buggy but at the same time far more feature filled. If you install one, ALWAYS follow the instructions to a tee. Lastly, what I love most about root is the apps. Adaway removes ads from all apps. Titanium backup a lows me to backup all apps and there data. Root is usually safe, just be careful.

Toxicsleet said:
Will it be good to root my Nexus 7 and what will be the precautions that should be taken after rooting it ,as I have heard about accidentally update can u make it clear for me.
And I also want to know that will I lose Android updates after rooting or custom ROM as Android update is the best part of Nexus.
I also want to know should I root my Nexus 7 (2013) or custom ROM it first.
Please give a brief sketch about custom ROM and rooting .which is safe ,easier,and how to root and custom ROM Nexus 7 and what are the precautions to be taken while doing this.
I would be very thankful for u...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should root if you want more features, want to customize more. But you should be ready to invest time and read through forum posts to learn more. You should not root if you are happy with what you have got and is not ready to take some risks. Of course it is not risky it you do your homework before doing anything and follow instructions clearly. Yes, you will lose OTA updates. But it doesn't matter. You can always flash the latest stock ROM if you want, which will be available right here in XDA.
If you want to root, first thing you should do is to unlock the bootloader. You can use any of the toolkits available to do that. Then only you can root. Unlocking the bootloader will wipe your data. (I don't remember if the internal storage is wiped, look it up) But after this first instance of data loss, then it's more easy. You can do backups and clean install, or dirty flash. You should install a custom bootloader (like TWRP). I use the multirom TWRP. Multirom is interesting which will allow you to install more than one ROM at once and dual boot easily. You can look up about it. You can then install any ROM you want.
Now sticking with the stock ROM or going for a custom one is your preference. Custom ROMs have many features baked right in. Some custom Roms (like cyanogenmod) even has OTA updates. Personally I like to use stockish ROM and use xposed to get the features I want. Xposed is another super tool which you should look at.
Now talking about precautions, always do a backup before doing anything. This is the no. 1 and the most important one. Personally, I have never done any backing up till now. But I am just careless and have been very lucky. Also, Google is getting better at doing app backups automatically. And most of my data is uploaded to the cloud anyway. As far as I know, it is impossible to hard brick Nexus 7. That means you can always rectify any problems that arise by giving your time. Unless you do something which damages the hardware.
Your friend is this forum. Read through posts and learn things. But be prepared to lose a lot of your time. You are warned!!

Hi I am convinced that I want to root my Nexus 7 2013 LTE & remain on stock MMB29V. I have tried using NRT to root however always ended in bootloop & have to reflash stock under softbrick condition. Please point me to a tutorial that works thanks

iluvatrix said:
Hi I am convinced that I want to root my Nexus 7 2013 LTE & remain on stock MMB29V. I have tried using NRT to root however always ended in bootloop & have to reflash stock under softbrick condition. Please point me to a tutorial that works thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the FAQ linked in the OP of the NRT thread...
---------- Post added at 07:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:36 AM ----------
Unlocking and rooting is easy. In order for obtaining root to be beneficial, you have to know how it works. Somewhere between trial-and-error and reading is where knowledge is gained, and knowledge trumps everything in the world of software modification. I never bothered asking any questions, but spent thousands of hours trying and reading for myself.

pmhashir said:
You should root if you want more features, want to customize more. But you should be ready to invest time and read through forum posts to learn more. You should not root if you are happy with what you have got and is not ready to take some risks. Of course it is not risky it you do your homework before doing anything and follow instructions clearly. Yes, you will lose OTA updates. But it doesn't matter. You can always flash the latest stock ROM if you want, which will be available right here in XDA.
If you want to root, first thing you should do is to unlock the bootloader. You can use any of the toolkits available to do that. Then only you can root. Unlocking the bootloader will wipe your data. (I don't remember if the internal storage is wiped, look it up) But after this first instance of data loss, then it's more easy. You can do backups and clean install, or dirty flash. You should install a custom bootloader (like TWRP). I use the multirom TWRP. Multirom is interesting which will allow you to install more than one ROM at once and dual boot easily. You can look up about it. You can then install any ROM you want.
Now sticking with the stock ROM or going for a custom one is your preference. Custom ROMs have many features baked right in. Some custom Roms (like cyanogenmod) even has OTA updates. Personally I like to use stockish ROM and use xposed to get the features I want. Xposed is another super tool which you should look at.
Now talking about precautions, always do a backup before doing anything. This is the no. 1 and the most important one. Personally, I have never done any backing up till now. But I am just careless and have been very lucky. Also, Google is getting better at doing app backups automatically. And most of my data is uploaded to the cloud anyway. As far as I know, it is impossible to hard brick Nexus 7. That means you can always rectify any problems that arise by giving your time. Unless you do something which damages the hardware.
Your friend is this forum. Read through posts and learn things. But be prepared to lose a lot of your time. You are warned!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey tank u alot for ur answer . It has helped me alot and made me clear but can u tell me more briefly about about coistom boot loader TWRP and multirom is kind of coustom ROM or what?? And which are the OTA updates receiving roms ??? After rooting if I hav a coustom ROM ,should I need to install OTA updates external??? And installing OTA updates externaly is wat called flash ???is it a too lenghty procss .
But bro tumbs up to your answer ....thank you alottt.....?????????