[Q] Lollipop or KitKat with root/bootstrap - AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Lets just say we get root before L is released for the AT&T Note 4. What would you do? Hold off and hope for a bootstrap so you can put a custom variation of L or any other rom, or just bite the bullet and take the update knowing you may never have root again? I think this is a dilemma that a lot of us will be facing soon.
CAN A MODERATOR MOVE THIS TO GENERAL SECTION?

Root is more important. I'd rather have adblock and tibu than lollipop.

papashex said:
Root is more important. Id rather have adblock and tibu than lollipop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I absolutely agree! Xposed, tibu, and Adaway!

With some user experience with a locked phone.
If you ever want to root never update officially as any chances of safely rooting becomes exponentially harder than before the update.
Stay away from those tempting lolipops when they arrive...

papashex said:
Root is more important. I'd rather have adblock and tibu than lollipop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I thought until I actually searched.
Adblock plus is a non-root version that works just as well (you just have to set your wifi and APN to proxy localhost port 2020) and there are about a billion backup alternatives...
Honestly stock rom is so smooth I might just upgrade and forget about it, custom roms always need tweaking and have some little thing I can't get perfect that bugs me.

v3ngence said:
That's what I thought until I actually searched.
Adblock plus is a non-root version that works just as well (you just have to set your wifi and APN to localhost proxy port 2020) and there are about a billion backup alternatives...
Honestly stock rom is so smooth I might just upgrade and forget about it, custom roms always need tweaking and have some little thing I can't get perfect that bugs me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree with you. Without an unlocked bootloader, we would just get stock Touchwiz roms anyways.
I've had many rooted Samsung phones over the past few years so I know the song and dance. The only difference between stock and a custom rom is the custom rom will be debloated, possibly have baked in extra features (which are usually alternatively achieved with xposed modules) and possibly a theme.
Take those things away, and it performs no different than stock Touchwiz. Believe me, any perceived performance difference is pure placebo. I've done many of my own tests to confirm this.
But to sum up my rant, I'm completely happy with this phone without root. It's overrated to be honest.

What version of adblock doesn't require root? Can you put up a link?

Just want to get rid of the bloat they stuff down our throats. I hate it and that really irritating ATT logo. I doubt I'll miss Lollipop, just as I never missed any of the updates that came after I rooted my Note 2 on day one.

WizeGuyDezignz said:
I completely agree with you. Without an unlocked bootloader, we would just get stock Touchwiz roms anyways.
I've had many rooted Samsung phones over the past few years so I know the song and dance. The only difference between stock and a custom rom is the custom rom will be debloated, possibly have baked in extra features (which are usually alternatively achieved with xposed modules) and possibly a theme.
Take those things away, and it performs no different than stock Touchwiz. Believe me, any perceived performance difference is pure placebo. I've done many of my own tests to confirm this.
But to sum up my rant, I'm completely happy with this phone without root. It's overrated to be honest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that a custom rom seems less and less needed. I've been OK with the stock rom so far but do wish we had a root for xposed and be able to write to microsd
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

The only big drawback for me and not having root is the SD card lockdown. I mean really, it is external storage and any app I chose should be allowed to wright to it when I request it.

adblock plus website...
adblock works without root by routing apps through it this does not require root.
If you have root it automatically changes the settings etc but if you don't it tells you what settings you have to manually input to get it to work just the same no root required but root preferred.

I'm in the middle... I've always rooted my phones... Just like the different customizations, but with this phone, I'm completely happy with it as is.. I just put different themes on it to spice up whatever I feel I want... But I'd at least like the option to root, if I wanted, but to answer the question, of L comes out before root is acquired, I'm definitely upgrading

Really rather have root but if it doesn't then I wouldn't mind. So far I'm really enjoying the note 4. I'm not even seeing TouchWiz stutters everything is smooth and even the stock keyboard which I usually change anyway I'm liking more and more.
But I do have to agree don't get me wrong the devs I respect for all their time and work, but I'm not into stock custom rom. It also feels nice to just use the phone for what it is. With me I was always tweaking and doing so much I never really fully enjoyed the phone.

I'd rather have root. I was wondering if I'm going to keep the note or use my rooted and safestrapped s5. But something about the note makes it hard to put down.

AndroiderM said:
What version of adblock doesn't require root? Can you put up a link?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like this one:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stulchik.adblock.reklama&hl=en
JudgeDredd67 said:
The only big drawback for me and not having root is the SD card lockdown. I mean really, it is external storage and any app I chose should be allowed to wright to it when I request it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was a minor annoyance for me, the camera app defaulted to sd storage and I can save pics but not edit or delete, so I just changed default storage to phone.
Also it's nice to have a really clean, organized sd card IMO I didn't like all the app data folders...

v3ngence said:
I like this one:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stulchik.adblock.reklama&hl=en...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I get this when I click on it:
"This item isn't available in your country" (usa)
You wouldn't by chance have a link to an apk I could side load?
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

Dumbo53 said:
Unfortunately I get this when I click on it:
"This item isn't available in your country" (usa)
You wouldn't by chance have a link to an apk I could side load?
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually found out it was causing network lag, so I switched to the real ABP: https://adblockplus.org/en/android-install
But it works the same way, the app tells you how to set up your wifi proxy, but you can just add proxy "localhost" port 2020 to your apn and its works on 4g too!

ViperAudio would be nice

Related

Benefits of rooting SGS i9000

Why should the average user take the risk?
The "Average" user shouldn't in my view. Original firmware is pretty stable so there's no immediate need for custom ROMS or removal of shipped apps.
dan 6a said:
Why should the average user take the risk?
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Click to collapse
An average user shouldn't, but it can be fun to have a proper play with the device!
ash99 said:
The "Average" user shouldn't in my view. Original firmware is pretty stable so there's no immediate need for custom ROMS or removal of shipped apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must admit there's some crap shipped apps installed on it, like most of the Live Wallpaper, widgets and Layar.
damianarnold said:
An average user shouldn't, but it can be fun to have a proper play with the device!
You must admit there's some crap shipped apps installed on it, like most of the Live Wallpaper, widgets and Layar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but if Average user uninstalls the wrong thing ..... Average user is gonna brick his phone .... Whoops !
But yeah if average user can brush up his technical skills then theres some fun to be had !
ash99 said:
But yeah if average user can brush up his technical skills then theres some fun to be had !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lOl
For example here in Finland you need to root your Android to get Android Market for example..
It is possible to set the higher priority of some tasks? Like LauncherPro. It would react more responsible when there are another apps running with high cpu usage.
also i would like to set the priority to low of a task which installs applications from market, so the phone is more usable.
Would it be possible?
hope you got my english
rkantos said:
For example here in Finland you need to root your Android to get Android Market for example..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you serious? They don't allow you access to the android market by default?
INeedYourHelp said:
Are you serious? They don't allow you access to the android market by default?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You only get the free side without rooting.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
rkantos said:
For example here in Finland you need to root your Android to get Android Market for example..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does Market enabler work on the i9000?
ME works like a charm
What if I root my phone and samsung releases a new firmware.
Can I update the firmware without any issues, and will I still have root after such an upgrade?
If you gained Root with Flashing the csc file from Leshak, you simply dont flash the csc file of the new firmware and you will still have root.
FrezoreR said:
What if I root my phone and samsung releases a new firmware.
Can I update the firmware without any issues, and will I still have root after such an upgrade?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way Samsung handles updates is they are released in odin packages. To install these roms that are in these odins packages you must have the odin program that will install it onto your phone. The problem is that this will wipe out all your settings and apps on your phone. You could try using a backup and for your apps and settings but they don't always work when your upgrading.
Also in regards to the initial question remember you wont have wifi-tether or a huge choice of custom roms (no sense roms, no early Froyo roms). Those two reasons alone have drawn me away from Samsung. I would rather get a HTC Aria then this locked down phone.
psychoace said:
The way Samsung handles updates is they are released in odin packages. To install these roms that are in these odins packages you must have the odin program that will install it onto your phone. The problem is that this will wipe out all your settings and apps on your phone. You could try using a backup and for your apps and settings but they don't always work when your upgrading.
Also in regards to the initial question remember you wont have wifi-tether or a huge choice of custom roms (no sense roms, no early Froyo roms). Those two reasons alone have drawn me away from Samsung. I would rather get a HTC Aria then this locked down phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What? No custom roms?? Why not!? :|
Still I really love this phone, think I'll get it anyway. Little bit sad that we cannot get custom roms, are you 100% sure of this?
No I said you won't get a huge choice of custom roms. Every Rom will be based off of what Samsung releases
Sent from my Behold II using XDA App
What? That doesn't make sense. There are already custom roms for the galaxy s. And they are in the form of an update.zip
It looks like samsung has released a real customizable device, easily rooted and a recovery that allows any update.zip without checking for checksums..
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Laum said:
You only get the free side without rooting.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here in China. We can only view the free contents without rooting our phone.
oxylos said:
It is possible to set the higher priority of some tasks? Like LauncherPro. It would react more responsible when there are another apps running with high cpu usage.
also i would like to set the priority to low of a task which installs applications from market, so the phone is more usable.
Would it be possible?
hope you got my english
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean that we cannot use Launcherpro without rooting the phone? That is a awesome launcher. I think it is even better than there original launcher in the Galaxy S.
lianglqufo said:
Do you mean that we cannot use Launcherpro without rooting the phone? That is a awesome launcher. I think it is even better than there original launcher in the Galaxy S.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you can use launcherpro just fine without rooting the phone BUT you won't be able to connect to Kies while launcherpro is set as default. So just use a program like home switcher to temporarily set it back to samsungs launcher if you need to connect to Kies.

So why root?

I rooted my GN2 the day I bought it but now with OTA update rolling out I have to unroot. Wonder why I rooted in the first place...
The only good thing about rooting so far is being able to remove bloatware (flipboard, etc.). What are other benefits? No wireless tether yet (and I'm sure there will be a non-root solution to this coming), no access to google wallet, tweaking CPU or other settings is not really a concern since phone is so snappy with stock rom unrooted. I don't think the benefits of rooting justify the hassle and disadvantages (such as not being able to receive OTA update) of rooting.
What do you think?
For the fun of tinkering?
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
mrcrptguy said:
For the fun of tinkering?
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.........
And knowing you can restore from backup if something goes wrong. Everyone has their own reasons for root. But just knowing if you want to tinker around with your device, you can.
kg1128 said:
I rooted my GN2 the day I bought it but now with OTA update rolling out I have to unroot. Wonder why I rooted in the first place...
The only good thing about rooting so far is being able to remove bloatware (flipboard, etc.). What are other benefits? No wireless tether yet (and I'm sure there will be a non-root solution to this coming), no access to google wallet, tweaking CPU or other settings is not really a concern since phone is so snappy with stock rom unrooted. I don't think the benefits of rooting justify the hassle and disadvantages (such as not being able to receive OTA update) of rooting.
What do you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can be rooted and still receive the OTA update. As long as you dont remove any system apps or install a custom recovery you are good to go! If you would like to keep root during OTA you can enable SuperSU survival mode also.
mrcrptguy said:
For the fun of tinkering?
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your asking yourself why root then why did you choose to root? Root is awesome for people who love to play around with their devices and make changes to them to fit their needs. If you think the device is awesome the way it is then the only reason to root would probably be for backing up your apps.
To proper answer this question. "So why root?". Because we want to. Not everyone shares our joy of rooting but this is XDA and most of what we do here revolves around having a rooted device.
If u dont want to root then the question should be why android ? U like being limited to what the company gives u dont u ?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
With rooting you can customize your device as you like
Sent from my LG-P500 using xda premium
kg1128 said:
I rooted my GN2 the day I bought it but now with OTA update rolling out I have to unroot. Wonder why I rooted in the first place...
The only good thing about rooting so far is being able to remove bloatware (flipboard, etc.). What are other benefits? No wireless tether yet (and I'm sure there will be a non-root solution to this coming), no access to google wallet, tweaking CPU or other settings is not really a concern since phone is so snappy with stock rom unrooted. I don't think the benefits of rooting justify the hassle and disadvantages (such as not being able to receive OTA update) of rooting.
What do you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a laundry list of benefits to rooting your device, too many to list here, but the main reason IMO is so you can make your device YOUR own!
Eventually the DEVs will have the OTA built into their ROMS and tweeks. You also benefit from adding the BEST features and tweeks that often are not included in Stock builds, or are actually screwed up by Stock builds and updates. You can also just root your device and stay mostly stock, then add features, mods, and tweeks at your liking.
So, for me, its all about having options and being able to set up the device how I like it best. I think you'll find most people on here feel the same way. For me, I don't even activate a device unless its rooted first... Not rooting is kind of like having a Sports car and not being able to do any mods to it,- no air cleaners, no wheels, no gauges, no upgrades, just having to leave it the way you bought isn't ANY fun!
Thanks to all the people who work hard to make the good stuff happen!
ROOT IT :good:
It's not that complicated to un root and takes 60 seconds. ..
Full App+Data backup/restore and tethering.
---------- Post added at 10:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:46 AM ----------
BigJPNut said:
You can be rooted and still receive the OTA update. As long as you dont remove any system apps or install a custom recovery you are good to go! If you would like to keep root during OTA you can enable SuperSU survival mode also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not been my experience with my GS3. I've attempted to install the few OTA's that have come for the phone and while you can hit the Install now button, it fails to actually install it. Only once I unrooted did it actually complete.
I root cause its there.
Actually, its for the Ad Block and Titanium Backup and then Tether whenever that comes along.
I did it so I could meet and date supermodels
to get rid of ads, I also plan on putting the perseus kernal on it so I can charge my phone with a car charger. and as everyone else stated, to be able to make it how I like it.
Sent from my Ubuntu Note II
epicnoob66 said:
Sent from my Ubuntu Note II
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In 8bit color?
kg1128 said:
I rooted my GN2 the day I bought it but now with OTA update rolling out I have to unroot. Wonder why I rooted in the first place...
The only good thing about rooting so far is being able to remove bloatware (flipboard, etc.). What are other benefits? No wireless tether yet (and I'm sure there will be a non-root solution to this coming), no access to google wallet, tweaking CPU or other settings is not really a concern since phone is so snappy with stock rom unrooted. I don't think the benefits of rooting justify the hassle and disadvantages (such as not being able to receive OTA update) of rooting.
What do you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its still a relatively new device and dev support hasn't REALLY taken off yet IMO. Go look at the S3 forum for example and there are threads all over the place with ROMs, kernels and MODs.

[Q] We have root? Great! What can it do?

Guys, please. The point of my thread is NOT whether the root claim is a lie or not. I am asking some questions about what can be done with it regardless, so please, if anyone knows inform me, but don't post guessing games of whether it is real or not.
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So the Note 4 is actually my first device I've owned where I didn't have an unlocked bootloader. Because of this, I'm not sure whether all the modifications I've made to my past devices were enabled because I had an unlocked bootloader.
The only thing I know we can't do is install custom roms.
So... that leaves me with a question. What kinds of things can we do with just root?
On top of that, I have some specific questions (Might think of more later) :
Will root let us be able to install the auto-brightness control that the international version of the Note 4 has? If you don't know, you're able to adjust how low or high the auto brightness stages will go without turning off auto brightness on that version. It's so much nicer than having to turn off auto, adjust to where you want, and then remember to turn auto back on when you leave that environment.
Can we remap the capacitive multitask button to be a menu button instead? And to remap long-pressing that button to be the new multitask?
Thanks!
There's safe strap which allows us to have custom roms.
droidx2.3.3 said:
There's safe strap which allows us to have custom roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did they get a safestrap to work?
I'm assuming that they will. I suppose I should have worded my post different.
So it should have said, if we get safe strap we will be able to have custom roms.
It's not quiet the same as a unlocked bootloader though.
We have root?
what proof?
Well regardless of whether we have custom roms through some other means, I'd personally most interested in those 2 questions I stated. That's honestly the things I want most with root at the moment.
Where is root?
Root has not been proven yet. Patience. Everyone is jumping the gun here.
Guys, please. The point of my thread is NOT whether the root claim is a lie or not. I am asking some questions about what can be done with it regardless, so please, if anyone knows inform me, but don't post guessing games of whether it is real or not.
Hobox10 said:
Guys, please. The point of my thread is NOT whether the root claim is a lie or not. I am asking some questions about what can be done with it regardless, so please, if anyone knows inform me, but don't post guessing games of whether it is real or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My main and only real reason for wanting root is for Ad Block ESPECIALLY in youtube. I hate those commercials... You can install Ad Block without root (as I just did) but it just doesn't seem to work as well as it did with my last rooted device... Although I'm not sure if this is the app devs getting more creative with how they get ads through or possibly even a Lollipop things...
The other main reason was so Rocket Player could delete podcasts I had already listened too.. That was resolved with the Lollipop update so I am good to go there...
Some really like Root for Titanium backup to back up ALL app data and settings... This was handy for me back when I was flashing ROMS all the time but without that capability I don't see myself having much of a need for that since the games I play store the data in the Android folder which I don't need root to copy/backup
Another great thing that has come about the last year or so is Xposed modules.. These give you just about ANY customization you could possibly want but of course in order to use them you will also need root..... There is a great app that pulls the commercials from Youtube which I will be checking out if Root is actually here... As I said before I hate hate the ads... Not that I don't buy FULL versions of some of the apps if I find them useful because I do... But with things like Chrome and Youtube I really miss the option of them being disabled... Yes I know Firefox has this built in but I like y Chrome for the ability to send pages from my PC to my phone with the click of a button....
I find that the Note 4 with the help of Apex PRO has helped me gain many of the features I once wanted Root and the ability to flash things for... So now I am just looking for the ability to kill some ads....
There are also a few apps I would delete or freeze with Titanium Backup once we had that option... Turning them off is nice but I want the space back...
dr12volt1338 said:
My main and only real reason for wanting root is for Ad Block ESPECIALLY in youtube. I hate those commercials... You can install Ad Block without root (as I just did) but it just doesn't seem to work as well as it did with my last rooted device... Although I'm not sure if this is the app devs getting more creative with how they get ads through or possibly even a Lollipop things...
The other main reason was so Rocket Player could delete podcasts I had already listened too.. That was resolved with the Lollipop update so I am good to go there...
Some really like Root for Titanium backup to back up ALL app data and settings... This was handy for me back when I was flashing ROMS all the time but without that capability I don't see myself having much of a need for that since the games I play store the data in the Android folder which I don't need root to copy/backup
Another great thing that has come about the last year or so is Xposed modules.. These give you just about ANY customization you could possibly want but of course in order to use them you will also need root..... There is a great app that pulls the commercials from Youtube which I will be checking out if Root is actually here... As I said before I hate hate the ads... Not that I don't buy FULL versions of some of the apps if I find them useful because I do... But with things like Chrome and Youtube I really miss the option of them being disabled... Yes I know Firefox has this built in but I like y Chrome for the ability to send pages from my PC to my phone with the click of a button....
I find that the Note 4 with the help of Apex PRO has helped me gain many of the features I once wanted Root and the ability to flash things for... So now I am just looking for the ability to kill some ads....
There are also a few apps I would delete or freeze with Titanium Backup once we had that option... Turning them off is nice but I want the space back...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm with you on the adblock and it's one of the things I've been looking forward too also. The ads mobile gets is ridiculous, I'm fine with them on most websites on the computer but the mobile versions really kill some things.
Xposed is an interesting topic to me, I've never had any experience with it since I've never really needed it. It will be fun to see what they do. Thanks for the info.
root
Do you know if they release their root tool now? If they do, where is it?
52yt said:
Do you know if they release their root tool now? If they do, where is it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The tool is not out. He's asking what can be done with root.
I want to delete all bloatware, install multi window for all apps, adblock, mxtube downloader, and xposed for 4.4.4
Sent from my SM-N915V
2swizzle said:
The tool is not out. He's asking what can be done with root.
I want to delete all bloatware, install multi window for all apps, adblock, mxtube downloader, and xposed for 4.4.4
Sent from my SM-N915V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point I forgot about being able to add multi window for non supported apps... It would be really nice for Tapatalk to support it
Ooh multi-window on almost any app sounds awesome!
you can remove pre-loaded carrier apps that cause sluggish instability. improve battery life, and speed up application start times.
Mw-pen app enabler, ive been using since i got this phone. Let's you add apps to multi window. Should work for non system apps. It's worked for me. been my solution until we get root, if we do.
djnikkofb said:
you can remove pre-loaded carrier apps that cause sluggish instability. improve battery life, and speed up application start times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an fyi: You can disable bloatware without having root by using @gatesjunior's Debloater utility. Here's the link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2998294
2swizzle said:
The tool is not out. He's asking what can be done with root.
I want to delete all bloatware, install multi window for all apps, adblock, mxtube downloader, and xposed for 4.4.4
Sent from my SM-N915V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Daciple said:
Mw-pen app enabler, ive been using since i got this phone. Let's you add apps to multi window. Should work for non system apps. It's worked for me. been my solution until we get root, if we do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had no idea that existed or was possible without root. Great find!

Anyone go back to stock from rooted?

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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...)

To root or not to root

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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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

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