Develop Bugs

planning on rooting?

Just curious, how many of you with unlocked phones are planning on rooting? Personally I think I'm going to run stock Android although I will root the phone so that I can get titanium, and arise Sound Mod

Yes. Root mostly for hosts based ad blocking. Hopefully Pure Nexus and ElementalX will show up as well.

It's an XDA addiction for me! Cheers

Salval said:
Yes. Root mostly for hosts based ad blocking. Hopefully Pure Nexus and ElementalX will show up as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will be rooting myself as well. I'm only quoting this post because I have the same exact reasons and wants for my Pixel 2 XL also.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Salval said:
Yes. Root mostly for hosts based ad blocking. Hopefully Pure Nexus and ElementalX will show up as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
me too
the only reason i root now days
is for adaway
most the futures that we did root for in the past
became available in stock android

Cowbell_Guy said:
Just curious, how many of you with unlocked phones are planning on rooting? Personally I think I'm going to run stock Android although I will root the phone so that I can get titanium, and arise Sound Mod
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
really... your asking on XDA forums lol. I'm pretty sure most people here will be rooting.
Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

Salval said:
Yes. Root mostly for hosts based ad blocking. Hopefully Pure Nexus and ElementalX will show up as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I keep asking myself....seems to be a PITA sometimes with little gain. Finally got Magisk fixed on XL after fiddling with flash-all and slots and boot loops. Should have a mechanism here to actually take OTA like normal people!
My reasons for root:
1. Adblock. I lost it for a week and it drive me crazy!!! Must have. BUT what about rootless options out there. I haven't tried any. How do they compare?
2. Custom ROM. Stock is fine these days. Sure a few tweaks here and there would be nice, but not worth the effort.
3. Custom kernel. Same as above. Getting 6.5 hrs SOT on XL. What is there to gain?
4. Titanium BU. Works great for years. But stock system is getting pretty good now...it actually remembers login credentials for apps! Pretty awesome. Just tweak a few settings and good to go.
5. Squeeze. Had a brief stint with U11. Loved it. The devs had apps and a kernel to use it for tons of cool stuff. Long squeeze for flashlight? Double squeeze? Lots of options there.
I probably shouldn't root...waste lots of time. But I will?. Probably...
Sent from my marlin using XDA Labs

akenis said:
I keep asking myself....seems to be a PITA sometimes with little gain. Finally got Magisk fixed on XL after fiddling with flash-all and slots and boot loops. Should have a mechanism here to actually take OTA like normal people!
My reasons for root:
1. Adblock. I lost it for a week and it drive me crazy!!! Must have. BUT what about rootless options out there. I haven't tried any. How do they compare?
2. Custom ROM. Stock is fine these days. Sure a few tweaks here and there would be nice, but not worth the effort.
3. Custom kernel. Same as above. Getting 6.5 hrs SOT on XL. What is there to gain?
4. Titanium BU. Works great for years. But stock system is getting pretty good now...it actually remembers login credentials for apps! Pretty awesome. Just tweak a few settings and good to go.
5. Squeeze. Had a brief stint with U11. Loved it. The devs had apps and a kernel to use it for tons of cool stuff. Long squeeze for flashlight? Double squeeze? Lots of options there.
I probably shouldn't root...waste lots of time. But I will. Probably...
Sent from my marlin using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also best call recording options.

Yes as always.

akenis said:
Adblock. I lost it for a week and it drive me crazy!!! Must have. BUT what about rootless options out there. I haven't tried any. How do they compare?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AdGuard is fantastic. Quality's better, but at a slight hit to battery.

Always root, just because.

I normally keep stock for about a week or so when I get a new Pixel/Nexus device. On the OG pixel I only rooted for ad blocking and substratum thenes. The rest did what I wanted it to do. I'll likely keep stock and rooted unless I find a rom that catches my eye

MaliceOmega said:
I normally keep stock for about a week or so when I get a new Pixel/Nexus device. On the OG pixel I only rooted for ad blocking and substratum thenes. The rest did what I wanted it to do. I'll likely keep stock and rooted unless I find a rom that catches my eye
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can stock rooted still get OTAs, updates etc? While keeping root?

Cowbell_Guy said:
Can stock rooted still get OTAs, updates etc? While keeping root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google search, read and learn.

Cowbell_Guy said:
Can stock rooted still get OTAs, updates etc? While keeping root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Supposedly.....
https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/blob/master/docs/tips.md#ota-installation-tips
Sent from my marlin using XDA Labs

Root? What's that?...Kidding, you know it.
TiB, ROM/Kernel, Substratum, Viper4Arise/MagnumOpus, AdAway, Greenify, Magisk. I can go for more but you get the idea.

The only thing I root for nowadays is AdAway but I literally cannot stand using a phone without ad blocking. It's awful.

As surely as the sun sets.

Cowbell_Guy said:
Can stock rooted still get OTAs, updates etc? While keeping root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can still get OTAs but you'll have to reroot or flash a stock room with root already in the zip

FMXP said:
The only thing I root for nowadays is AdAway but I literally cannot stand using a phone without ad blocking. It's awful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what about adclear?
using it now on Galaxy s8+...sold my pixel xl , waiting for pixel 2.
it's doing great, blocking almost any ad, no root needed

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...)

I hate the newer Phone app, want the old one

Google changed the Phone app back in early Summer or so, and get rid of the great swipe feature to move between the tabs. And it was that swipe way for years, and was always smooth and fast fluid.
Well since the new update back in May or June, that swipe feature is gone, and it always feels a bit slow laggy. On my Pixel 2 XL it feels laggy, compared to the older Phone app. And now on my 3 XL same feel, it's just janky and nowhere near as smooth operating as the old Phone app.
Is there a way to delete the current Phone app and install the last of that swipe version ?

Zorachus said:
Google changed the Phone app back in early Summer or so, and get rid of the great swipe feature to move between the tabs. And it was that swipe way for years, and was always smooth and fast fluid.
Well since the new update back in May or June, that swipe feature is gone, and it always feels a bit slow laggy. On my Pixel 2 XL it feels laggy, compared to the older Phone app. And now on my 3 XL same feel, it's just janky and nowhere near as smooth operating as the old Phone app.
Is there a way to delete the current Phone app and install the last of that swipe version ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to app mirror and I stall o e from around may or earlier. Delete the old one first using so e sort of system app remover if yours was installed as a system app.

I tried but didn't work.
I used Titanium Backup to uninstall Phone. Rebooted. Then downloaded several Google Phone .apk from May version 19xx and none of them would install.
So I just went back to the crappy stock one we all have.

Zorachus said:
I tried but didn't work.
I used Titanium Backup to uninstall Phone. Rebooted. Then downloaded several Google Phone .apk from May version 19xx and none of them would install.
So I just went back to the crappy stock one we all have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... That's strange... Maybe the really old phone apps are not compatible with the new we OS?? Are you sure the original uninstalled?

bsg411 said:
Hmm... That's strange... Maybe the really old phone apps are not compatible with the new we OS?? Are you sure the original uninstalled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Besides Titanium Backup, what's another method to permanently delete a system app ?

Zorachus said:
Besides Titanium Backup, what's another method to permanently delete a system app ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm running g a custom ROM (ressurection ROM) that has its own system app remover or you can manual find the app with a root explorer and remove it

I do have a root explorer Pro I'm just not sure exactly where that app is hidden and is it just the phone app only I delete? Or are thete a couple of other things connected to it I also need to delete first before installing the older version?

Zorachus said:
I do have a root explorer Pro I'm just not sure exactly where that app is hidden and is it just the phone app only I delete? Or are thete a couple of other things connected to it I also need to delete first before installing the older version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Usually the dialer can be found in system/priv-app :good:

Now I just need to find the last Phone apk before Google changed it to the current ****astic version.

Zorachus said:
Now I just need to find the last Phone apk before Google changed it to the current ****astic version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bwahahahahaha...nice word bruh! Gotta remember "****astic" for future reference! I do agree with you though. That swipe feature on the old dialer was fandamtastic! :good::good:

since Google changed it back in the summer on both my pixel 2 and now my pixel 3 it's just not smooth it seems a little janky or has a slight lag to it or is before the older one with the swipe between tabs it was buttery smooth ultra-fast even on old phones in mind that perform very well just not a fan of this new version whatsoever it's a real ****fest from Google

Badger50 said:
Bwahahahahaha...nice word bruh! Gotta remember "****astic" for future reference! I do agree with you though. That swipe feature on the old dialer was fandamtastic! :good::good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
New for me too, I've seen craptacular a few times but not "****astic."

[APP] All in One Gestures

Really a great gestures app to mimic iOS gestures. I use the navigation gestures option because I could not deal with the navigation bar not matching my keyboard. The gestures work pretty well and I got used to them, but I did not like the Back option. Too many times trying to go back ended up with me opening recents or going home.
I really wanted a gesture to swipe the screen from left to right to go back and this app allows me to. Works great with a few customization options. It was removed from the playstore but the apk can still be sideloaded
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/ys-liang/all-in-one-gestures-2/all-in-one-gestures-2-5-9-release/

Thanks for sharing. IMHO The OnePlus gestures are the best I've tried on any phone. The more options there are, the better off we are.

Thanks for sharing, I love the Swype from the left to go back feature

Hey Guys, if you wan't, you can also try an app called 'Fooview', which is available in playstore (No need Root access) and its amazing, you can set the swipe option from right to left for back in this app as well. it also comes with a browser, file manager, and allow to take screen short of any specified portion on your screen. It will also help to convert the 'letters' in an image to edit/copy. The main advantage is it work with very less battery drain and comes with small in size. this is one of the best app I have ever used. and I'm using this for the last 2 Years. Just try it, it is amazing.

It's asking for some unusual permissions like location

devilrulz4ever said:
It's asking for some unusual permissions like location
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never mind, Ignore it. It will work perfectly.

I found both of these apps to be scetchy and not any good.
I rather sugest the app called Fluid Navigation Gesture on play store.
It gives you the Miui10 Navigations that work great without any overlay or stuff like that.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fb.fluid&hl=no

ACB369 said:
Never mind, Ignore it. It will work perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never ignore such permissions, it may be a malicious app.

devilrulz4ever said:
Never ignore such permissions, it may be a malicious app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, but this will work perfectly without giving the location permission. And this app is available in play-store, which is verified by the google, then will it be a malicious app ?

ACB369 said:
Yea, but this will work perfectly without giving the location permission. And this app is available in play-store, which is verified by the google, then will it be a malicious app ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'd be surprised but there are apps that are not checked more in-depth before being accepted on Play Store

ACB369 said:
Yea, but this will work perfectly without giving the location permission. And this app is available in play-store, which is verified by the google, then will it be a malicious app ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are many apps which get through the checks. Check the news, you'll find many articles about google removing app from the play store every now and then.
Even a seemingly trustworthy app can do a lot of harm. Even if the app is a bit sketchy its better to stay away from it.

ACB369 said:
Hey Guys, if you wan't, you can also try an app called 'Fooview', which is available in playstore (No need Root access) and its amazing, you can set the swipe option from right to left for back in this app as well. it also comes with a browser, file manager, and allow to take screen short of any specified portion on your screen. It will also help to convert the 'letters' in an image to edit/copy. The main advantage is it work with very less battery drain and comes with small in size. this is one of the best app I have ever used. and I'm using this for the last 2 Years. Just try it, it is amazing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I've tried damn near all the gesture apps but I keep going back to fooview. It's like 20 apps in one with an abundance of gesture options.
Sent from my OnePlus6T using XDA Labs

mokash34 said:
Thanks for sharing. IMHO The OnePlus gestures are the best I've tried on any phone. The more options there are, the better off we are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find the navbar gestures severely lacking. Swipe from left or right edge up for back? On which planet? Ever tried this swipe on Chrome with a longish text loaded? All you get is a scroll back and not back. Or maybe I am misunderstanding the directions. How difficult is it to add a graphic to illustrate?

Question Is there a secret to hiding the Google discover page?

I just got the 6r and I can't for the life of me find how to discover the Google discover page that comes on the left page
Since I can't use a 3rd party launcher this is already a big enough annoyance to make me sell the phone tomorrow
I absolutely hate having more than 1 page on my home screen

what's Google Discover? is it the one where it tells you the news and can do google searches?

Bertie90 said:
what's Google Discover? is it the one where it tells you the news and can do google searches?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah
I've never seen a launcher that doesn't allow you to disable it

WOW, RM still has horrific sw. What phone doesn't allow you to change the launcher? WTF?

bs3pro said:
WOW, RM still has horrific sw. What phone doesn't allow you to change the launcher? WTF?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean... you can use a different launcher, but you can't use gesture controls with them. I've had too many oleds get the nav buttons built in to ever go back to use that again.

ah yes I know what you mean. It's the first thing I tried to disabled and found out you can't. I think the Youtube reviews don't reflect how pants this phone is at being a normal phone. It's amazing for gaming, sucks as a phone.

Bertie90 said:
ah yes I know what you mean. It's the first thing I tried to disabled and found out you can't. I think the Youtube reviews don't reflect how pants this phone is at being a normal phone. It's amazing for gaming, sucks as a phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I honestly can't even make sense of why this is a thing
The only way I can figure out to get rid of it is disabling google...which then removes the ability removes google search

I tried that and it still shows on mine. I use duck duck go as a browser anyway. But then I found out that you can't do an app search like on a Samsung where you pull down the screen and it allows you to search for an app. You go in that news feed thing and type on google the app and then it shows it on your phone too.