Develop Bugs

[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.

New to rooting, trying to root Huewai Mate SE for Magisk/Fake GPS spoofing

Never rooted, don't want to brick my phone but I am interested, I heard the honor 7x guide won't work with the MATE SE, I was going to do a hard reset as I am having phone problems anyways and I might as well root. Any foolproof guides? I would like to use magisk.
Will gmail, maps and everything else still work correctly? I am ONLY rooting to make the fake gps app a system app so I can use without mock locations on.

Everymanalion said:
Never rooted, don't want to brick my phone but I am interested, I heard the honor 7x guide won't work with the MATE SE, I was going to do a hard reset as I am having phone problems anyways and I might as well root. Any foolproof guides? I would like to use magisk.
Will gmail, maps and everything else still work correctly? I am ONLY rooting to make the fake gps app a system app so I can use without mock locations on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting is pretty straight forward.
For most phones the sequence goes like this.
1. Unlock the boot loader, Some phones come with unlocked boot loaders, not these ones though. You should visit The emui.huawei site and get the unlock code. They are about to remove this feature from their web page, but as of 7-23-2018 10:54 AM the page is still up. I believe it goes down tomorrow.
2. After unlocking the boot loader, you can flash a custom recovery(TWRP). The custom recovery is what allows you to gain root access.
3. From TWRP you will flash the magisk.zip file to gain root access.
You should make note of your EMUI version, 5.1 and 8 use different files. so If you're on EMUI 5.1 and try to flash EMUI8 files, you'll end up with a brick, same goes for vice versa.
Feel free to PM me if you want some more info, such as links.

is my phone really rooted?

I used to be more active on these forums before I got my oneplus 5T and one of the biggest reasons was I wanted a clean fast OS without all the bloatware that many other manufacturers put on their phones. I tried a search but I did not find what I was looking for, so I apologize in advance if this is already covered in another thread.
Anyway, I picked up a 5T about a year ago while visiting family in Europe. (I'm the 2nd owner to the phone) I never bothered to install TWRP or anything else bcs the phone was running really well with stock. All OTA updates have been installing whenever they were released.
Now to my question. While trying to install workspace one app from playstore (my company requires it) the app won't install bcs it claims my phone is rooted. That is the only app that I have ever had any issues with.
I ran root check witch states "sorry! Root access is not properly installed on this device"
How do I unroot my phone if it's really rooted? Or lock the bootloader? maybe that's the same? TWRP is not installed, when I boot into recovery I get into oneplus stock recovery software.

Hi, unfortunately I can't tell you right off if your phone is rooted. If root checker is saying no, then maybe you aren't, but still check if you have magisk or some other root solution app installed. When you got it from someone, they also could have flashed ROMs etc and when they returned it to stock for resale, they night have missed something like relocking bootloader, even if they did re install stock recovery. If I were in your shoes though, I would reboot to bootloader and check if it's unlocked or not. If it is, it's a simple "fastboot oem lock" from terminal. If that's not the case or solution, I dunno what to say. One thing that I would do if I were desparate is to try to take a backup of all the music/pics/texts/whatever other essential bits of data. Then I would reinstall stock recovery, as well as the latest official (not beta) Oxygen OS from oneplus's page. You can find it under the support tab and then software upgrade, then choose the device. Not only that but maybe completely nuke it, as in format, wipe, etc. And lock the bootloader and also let it get encrypted and stuff.. in other words, restore to as stock as possible. Then once you are done you can test. If this fails and bricks, there's a unbrick guide somewhere here for our phone, and also the backup is there for you. If you successfully restore to stock and this does not work, then maybe it is just the app that has a problem with not super stock Android (OOS). I must warn you that this process is risky and I am in no way gonna be responsible for lost data, because I did say make a backup and also it is up to you to do this. I hope this helps a bit, and if you aren't super familiar with the process it may take a while, around an hour if you do not run into any hitches and your download speed is good enough.

Trying to follow the guide of rooting my Moto One Action

So I have successfully unlocked my motorola by following the official guide but am stuck on the next step because I don't know what I'm supposed to download next. I installed magisk from the official github onto my phone but that's about it. Thanks in advance for any help.

Which rom are you using?

So all I have done so far is unlocked my bootloader, do I need to download a rom next. I'm very inexperienced on this subject and saw a video of the different cool customizations you can do with a rooted phone.

So, there are two different things.
1. rooting gives you access to system files, so they can be modified/erased etc.
2. a custom ROM doesn't necessarily give you root access, but it can give you cool customizations built-in, or a newer version of Android, for example.
Personally I'm not a big fan of rooting in general. Because that comes with a couple of caveats. One being that your banking apps won't work anymore, unless you fiddle with magisk stuff to make it show like the device is not rooted, and stuff like that. I don't need root, so I don't generally need Magisk either.
But if you want to try a cool ROM for this phone, and you like stock Android, you could try the Pixel Experience ROM. The only thing that doesn't work (and I don't know how to fix right now), is VoLTE and VoWIFI. But it might work for you.
LineageOS works for VoLTE (with IMS APN added by the user), but still doesn't work for VoWIFI. It could be that it requires a few specific files to be flashed from the stock ROM. I don't know. So far I couldn't get it to work.
So, next step would be either staying on stock ROM, and fiddling with Magisk (but keep in mind some DRM apps won't work, some payment stuff won't work and so on so forth), ooor go flash a custom ROM (such as Pixel Experience), and enjoy it the way it is.
The choice is yours.
One advice I have: don't relock the bootloader unless the option in Developer Options > OEM Unlocking is ON. Doesn't matter if it's greyed out or not. But it needs to be ON.
Why? Because, if something happens and you can't boot because you locked your bootloader on a custom ROM for example (which you should never do, by the way), you won't be able to unlock it again, so you can fix your boot, if that option is OFF. So be very careful with that.
When that option is ON, it means bootloader is allowed to be unlocked (it's unlockable). When it's OFF, it's not. If it's not unlockable, you can't unlock it, so you can't flash anything. Which is really bad if you need to fix something and the only way is flashing.

Ok, I took some time to reflect based on what you said. I really do value being able to use banking apps so i guess I will try to fiddle with magisk stuff after I root my device. Speaking of which I was following this guide and I went through the procedure twice but for some reason after I ran the root checker plus app from the play store it says that root was not properly installed. Not sure what part of the process I did wrong but I await any feedback.

Technically, all you need is Magisk installed. That will also give you root access. You don't need anything else.
But maybe flashing was not done right? I don't know. Do you get an error? If so, it would be good to know which error.