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.

Note 2 root info

Hello everyone, I bought a note II lte, I would like to know if making the root of the device, you lose the warranty?
it can be restore?
If I've got root permission i can't receive more official updates (ota)?
there is a chance to brick device performing root?
(there is a way to just root without recovery or anything? without change nothing on the phone but just root permission?)
I read Exynos abuse, those who have had esprienza could let me know if it is safe?
I'm paying dearly and in installments, so I want to risk as little as possible
Thanks in advice

anthraxx90 said:
Hello everyone, I bought a note II lte, I would like to know if making the root of the device, you lose the warranty? Yes sort of you will Lose your warranty
it can be restore? Yes it can be restored
If I've got root permission i can't receive more official updates (ota)? You will not receive any Official Ota if your device is modified
there is a chance to brick device performing root? Very less chances if you know how to play with your device
(there is a way to just root without recovery or anything? without change nothing on the phone but just root permission?) Yes you can root your device on Stock Recovery which gives you only full permissions.
I read Exynos abuse, those who have had esprienza could let me know if it is safe?Sorry no knowledge on this
I'm paying dearly and in installments, so I want to risk as little as possible Tip read the entire thread carefully clear all your doubts before proceeding
Thanks in advice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
..

Help! Installing custom rom, kernel and rooting

Hi
I was wondering if some one would help me and answer some questions about rooting, installing custom roms and kernels on my LG G3 - D855. I am a complete novice when it comes to installing any 3rd party software on phones.
I wish to install a custom rom (Cyanengine mod 12 Android L 5.0.2) onto my phone and possibly a custom kernel to improve the battery life. I believe I have to root to do this as well?
One of my worries is that I could brick my phone. If I do this , is it fixable? What order should I go about installing the modifications? Root, rom , kernel? Root, kernel , rom? Also what is TWRP? Sorry for the amount of questions, but I would be really grateful if some one could explain the process, and any thing I should avoid.
Thanks Again
regards
Tom

tomsmith64 said:
Hi
I was wondering if some one would help me and answer some questions about rooting, installing custom roms and kernels on my LG G3 - D855. I am a complete novice when it comes to installing any 3rd party software on phones.
I wish to install a custom rom (Cyanengine mod 12 Android L 5.0.2) onto my phone and possibly a custom kernel to improve the battery life. I believe I have to root to do this as well?
One of my worries is that I could brick my phone. If I do this , is it fixable? What order should I go about installing the modifications? Root, rom , kernel? Root, kernel , rom? Also what is TWRP? Sorry for the amount of questions, but I would be really grateful if some one could explain the process, and any thing I should avoid.
Thanks Again
regards
Tom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First you must root. Then you should install TWRP. TWRP is just an option you give your phone to do many things like flashing (placing) programs to your phone, backing up everything (Including your current ROM, data, apps, etc.), and deleting everything and wiping your device.
Bricking is possible, but if you follow a guide step-by-step you shouldn't. TWRP should be a major priority. You must root first, then you can do that. This custom recovery will allow you to backup everything. If you brick your phone, TWRP is your only way out BUT YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A BACKUP TO UNDO IT.
I wouldn't worry about a custom kernel because with root you will have access to so many options that you can customize your phone to use less battery.
Therefore, you should root, install TWRP, then install Cyanogenmod 12. There are so so so many guides for doing these and a quick google search will get you right into it.
Send me a message if you have specific questions -- I'd be glad to help you out. I was in your shoes not too long ago as well.
Hope this helps!

Rooting

Hello everyone! It's been a month or so since I got a new LG G4 and I've been wanting to root it since the but I don't want to void the warranty yet, so I have a few questions about this. This isn't my first phone to root, but I need some info on this one.
1. What's the difference between *Low Effort Root**and *Bootloader Unlock and Root*?
2. The low effort root can save me from voiding my warranty? Note: I'm from Romania and my LGH815 is a Romanian model too.
3. If those are not the only ways to root it, is there any way of rooting and not voiding the warranty?
4. If question 2 or 3 has a positive answer, can I still get official updates from LG or do I need to download and flash them then root again?

Flaminel said:
Hello everyone! It's been a month or so since I got a new LG G4 and I've been wanting to root it since the but I don't want to void the warranty yet, so I have a few questions about this. This isn't my first phone to root, but I need some info on this one.
1. What's the difference between *Low Effort Root**and *Bootloader Unlock and Root*?
2. The low effort root can save me from voiding my warranty? Note: I'm from Romania and my LGH815 is a Romanian model too.
3. If those are not the only ways to root it, is there any way of rooting and not voiding the warranty?
4. If question 2 or 3 has a positive answer, can I still get official updates from LG or do I need to download and flash them then root again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use low effort and whenever you want to you can flash back to stock, unroot and make it look to LG (or to whoever might have given you a warranty) as if you never altered anything.
You never think about taking an ota while rooted but updating manually ("low effort" with newest firmware version, for example marcosuper7) is unproblematic. Ok?

android404 said:
You can use low effort and whenever you want to you can flash back to stock, unroot and make it look to LG (or to whoever might have given you a warranty) as if you never altered anything.
You never think about taking an ota while rooted but updating manually ("low effort" with newest firmware version, for example marcosuper7) is unproblematic. Ok?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with the manual update, but as far as I know, there are some things that show that I've been changing or altering the software on the phone, some code, I don't really know.

Flaminel said:
Hello everyone! It's been a month or so since I got a new LG G4 and I've been wanting to root it since the but I don't want to void the warranty yet, so I have a few questions about this. This isn't my first phone to root, but I need some info on this one.
1. What's the difference between *Low Effort Root**and *Bootloader Unlock and Root*?
2. The low effort root can save me from voiding my warranty? Note: I'm from Romania and my LGH815 is a Romanian model too.
3. If those are not the only ways to root it, is there any way of rooting and not voiding the warranty?
4. If question 2 or 3 has a positive answer, can I still get official updates from LG or do I need to download and flash them then root again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. low effort only roots and do not touch the bootloader... with bootloader unlock your warranty is void.
2. yes (if you restore to stock with lg flash tool before.)
3. no other way to root till now.
4. no. you have to flash official updates with lg flash tool and root again.

dusu84 said:
1. low effort only roots and do not touch the bootloader... with bootloader unlock your warranty is void.
2. yes
3. no other way to root till now.
4. no. you have to flash official updates with lg flash tool and root again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much!

Flaminel said:
Thank you very much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i edited my post... low effort save you from voiding your warranty if you go back to stock after root with lg flash tool

dusu84 said:
i edited my post... low effort save you from voiding your warranty if you go back to stock after root with lg flash tool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understood. But what's the difference between those 2? Besides "touching" the bootloader. Any advantage on any of them or disadvantage?

Flaminel said:
Understood. But what's the difference between those 2? Besides "touching" the bootloader. Any advantage on any of them or disadvantage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
with an unlocked bootloader you can install twrp and then you can flash something for example custom roms.

dusu84 said:
with an unlocked bootloader you can install twrp and then you can flash something for example custom roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could I use FlashFire instead, without an unlocked bootloader?

Flaminel said:
Could I use FlashFire instead, without an unlocked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as long as its a stock based rom then yes but without an unlocked bootloader not for custom roms.

dusu84 said:
as long as its a stock based rom then yes but without an unlockes bootloader not for custom roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would use it to flash mods. Thank you very much for your help!

Great informative thread! A few Q's if its OK?
1. So with Low Effort Root I can use Xposed and all the modules, remove bloatware and if something goes wrong I can just us the LG tool for restoring?
2. When an OTA is released I will loose root, or I won't even be able to install OTAs?
3. I really want to change the colours if the notification quick toggles, that should be able to do with Xposed, right?
4. Are all G4 updates available viua the LG tool, don't want to use old firmwares just because I'm rooted?
5. After rooting and changing what I want to change can I then remove root to make the phone more secure and not as "open" and potentially vulnerable?

Laban said:
Great informative thread! A few Q's if its OK?
1. So with Low Effort Root I can use Xposed and all the modules, remove bloatware and if something goes wrong I can just us the LG tool for restoring?
2. When an OTA is released I will loose root, or I won't even be able to install OTAs?
3. I really want to change the colours if the notification quick toggles, that should be able to do with Xposed, right?
4. Are all G4 updates available viua the LG tool, don't want to use old firmwares just because I'm rooted?
5. After rooting and changing what I want to change can I then remove root to make the phone more secure and not as "open" and potentially vulnerable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. yes
2./4. you never try to take an ota on a rooted g4. You flash through flashtool or push a rooted image when it's available, a couple of days after official release at max.
3. yes
5. most of the advantages of root are lost once you unroot. The only one you don't lose (that i can think of) is that you're still as debloated as before unrooting.

android404 said:
1. yes
2./4. you never try to take an ota on a rooted g4. You flash through flashtool or push a rooted image when it's available, a couple of days after official release at max.
3. yes
5. most of the advantages of root are lost once you unroot. The only one you don't lose (that i can think of) is that you're still as debloated as before unrooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
But changes like the one mentioned in (3) will still be there after I remove root?

I'm pretty sure Xposed or any associated modules won't work, or won't work properly if you un-root. Why are you so worried about leaving your phone rooted?
Sent from my VS986

rick09 said:
I'm pretty sure Xposed or any associated modules won't work, or won't work properly if you un-root. Why are you so worried about leaving your phone rooted?
Sent from my VS986
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure I'm that worried, but I know that some apps won't start on a rooted device. But I remember something about an app that hides the fact that the phone is rooted, does that exist?

Couple of questions

So I received my new N5X yesterday and loving it. Typically I root Nexus' right out of the box but this time I decided to give it a shot in stock form. Now I'm looking to unlock the bootloader and root but I have a few questions.
Android Pay - will unlocking my bootloader and rooting the stock ROM break Android Pay?
Encryption - will unlocking my bootloader and rooting the stock ROM prevent me from staying encrypted?
I love the stock ROM but would like to add an ad-blocker, snapprefs (for snapchat), among a couple others.
All help is appreciated!

I don't use Android pay so I can't help you with that.
You only need to take care if you want to keep the phone in un-encrypted.
Encrypted mode is the default anyway so you won't have any problems keeping it encrypted.
You may have some trouble keeping you're encrypted data partition when installing a custom ROM though.

peltus said:
You only need to take care if you want to keep the phone in un-encrypted.
Encrypted mode is the default anyway so you won't have any problems keeping it encrypted.
You may have some trouble keeping you're encrypted data partition when installing a custom ROM though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah - perfect! No plans for a custom ROM so no worries there.
Anyone have experience with a rooted, stock ROM and Android Pay?

In the following topic they are talking about an exposed app called ' no device check'.
Maybe something to get you started in looking into Android pay:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-5x/general/marshmallow-xposed-t3249145/page2