When I first rooted a month ago, one of my questions was Root, now what?
Since then I have been able to make a list of at least 10 Benefits of Root. I am sure there are more that I am not thinking of.
Do you think we could get a Running Sticky List here of benefits of root?
I think we have enough to start a running list for newcomers deciding on whether or not Root is for them.
Might not be a bad idea, or at least something in the Wiki. I get asked this when I tell people that I have root (when they ask how my phone does this or that).
I am currently a G1 owner on the fence about rooting my phone, as are many others. One of the first issues I've come across is being overwhelmed by forum threads. Unless I have missed something (and if I did, please point me in the right direction!), everything is posted in forums here, requiring people to pour through tons of posts and pick through the right information.
Is there an official wiki or something where all the latest news, guides, FAQs, etc. are being updated? If not, I'd love to start one, but unfortunately I don't have the knowledge to do so (yet, at least). I'm thinking of a super simple, jargon-free site for users to find answers to their questions, and a simple outlined "official" process for how to begin and where to go from there.
For example, some FAQs..
Can T-Mobile/Google "cut me off" in any way if they determine I have rooted my phone?
If I change my mind later, can I go back to original firmware and leave no trace that I ever rooted the phone in the first place? Future over-the-air updates will install with no issues?
Let's say I mess up during the rooting process. Is there always a way out, or am I screwed?
How safe is storing apps on the SD card? What can happen to my phone, and how do I avoid problems?
What are the JFvX.XX firmware releases? How do they work? Are they required? Are there other alternatives?
What if a future OTA can't be hacked, will we miss out on features?
I've seen various different methods of rooting the G1, which one is the most popular and why?
etc.
This is just an idea, but there's all these questions like this that I know many people have. While these questions can easily be answered in forums, I'm looking for a more convenient solution for the community. As official answers are nailed down, it would be great to have a reference to check with rather than flooding forums with questions.
Anyway, thanks for all the hard work from the developers here. It's really exciting to follow, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for the G1!
they have one:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Dream
look first
kay11224 said:
they have one:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Dream
look first
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Thanks for the link, but unfortunately this doesn't seem user friendly (it's filled with unexplained links and jargon), and seems pretty outdated. I'm thinking about info aimed the average n00b end-user here, not developers or people actively following the forums and progress made.
I'm not sure if you understand fully what you're asking. Keeping your phone updated without "actively following the forums and progress made" is a simple task right now, just wait until Google pushes an update for you. If using the search function is too hard for you, I think root access is biting off more than you can chew. All of your FAQ's can easily be found in the development section of the forums. As far as step by step guides are concerned, read the stickies, use the search function, and then ask. It's not complicated at all.
dudinatrix said:
Can T-Mobile/Google "cut me off" in any way if they determine I have rooted my phone?
If I change my mind later, can I go back to original firmware and leave no trace that I ever rooted the phone in the first place? Future over-the-air updates will install with no issues?
Let's say I mess up during the rooting process. Is there always a way out, or am I screwed?
How safe is storing apps on the SD card? What can happen to my phone, and how do I avoid problems?
What are the JFvX.XX firmware releases? How do they work? Are they required? Are there other alternatives?
What if a future OTA can't be hacked, will we miss out on features?
I've seen various different methods of rooting the G1, which one is the most popular and why?
etc.
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Click to collapse
1) as far as i'm aware no. They can remove apps from peoples phones (allegedly) but i can't see how they would know you have root, or even care. It's good publicity for the phone if anything.
2) Yup, you can easily un-root your phone and the updates should work correctly.
3) Once you have the hardSPL bootloader loaded it's pretty much impossible to brick your phone, see this thread for details.
4) Not sure about this, so i can't comment
5) the JF firmware releases are essentially hacked firmwares, created by JesusFreke, that allow us to get root access (among other things ). they are incredibly easy to install and they are required for certain things such as, multi-touch. as far as i know, there are no alternatives.
6) They will be as everything is open source. I imagine xda will have a firmware hacked within hours of it's release
7) personally, i find this way the best. nice n simple and easy to follow.
have fun
Iceucold said:
I'm not sure if you understand fully what you're asking. Keeping your phone updated without "actively following the forums and progress made" is a simple task right now, just wait until Google pushes an update for you. If using the search function is too hard for you, I think root access is biting off more than you can chew. All of your FAQ's can easily be found in the development section of the forums. As far as step by step guides are concerned, read the stickies, use the search function, and then ask. It's not complicated at all.
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I am perfectly capable of handling root access. I am a Linux system administrator (among other things) by profession. I admit, this would be my first attempt at "hacking" a device and thus voiding the warranty, hence my hesitation and "noob" questions. Using the search function is not my concern here, but I can appreciate where you're coming from.
What I'm talking about, and what appears to be misinterpreted, is an information source for common end users, not developers or tech-savy users. If I have questions about rooting the G1, certainly those less technically inclined do as well. And unfortunately for them, they don't necessarily even know where to begin looking. I'm talking about people like my brother in law, for example... who probably never used a forum in his life, but wants to have multi-touch on his phone, or change his themes, or find a solution to his constant "low storage" warnings. People like him don't care about hacking into the phone and getting all this flexible access for himself. They just want to take advantage of what's already been achieved, but unfortunately require root to do so.
I agree that it is pretty simple to root the phone, but face it you have to be somewhat comfortable with technology first, even just to obtain the information.
Perhaps now isn't the appropriate time to wrap things up in a bow and give to the general G1 user base in a tidy little easy-to-digest package. As things develop further it may just naturally come about, perhaps via installers or something. I just think it would be helpful to many to have a source written for the common folk with jargon-free information... considering the more people get their hands on it, the more successful the platform can become.
And to Metlus, thanks for being receptive and answering my questions kindly without making me feel judged for asking what I assume many think is a "just search for it" type of post.
Meltus said:
1) as far as i'm aware no. They can remove apps from peoples phones (allegedly) but i can't see how they would know you have root, or even care. It's good publicity for the phone if anything.
2) Yup, you can easily un-root your phone and the updates should work correctly.
3) Once you have the hardSPL bootloader loaded it's pretty much impossible to brick your phone, see this thread for details.
4) Not sure about this, so i can't comment
5) the JF firmware releases are essentially hacked firmwares, created by JesusFreke, that allow us to get root access (among other things ). they are incredibly easy to install and they are required for certain things such as, multi-touch. as far as i know, there are no alternatives.
6) They will be as everything is open source. I imagine xda will have a firmware hacked within hours of it's release
7) personally, i find this way the best. nice n simple and easy to follow.
have fun
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Great post meltus!
If and when you do decide to root g1 take your time and breathe, really isn't too hard just nerve racking the first time. I did it and im not a pro at all so you will probably breeze through it! The advancements made so far are unreal, auto browser, themes and many more make rooting well worth it in my opinion
I'm not sure if it gets any easier than this, but gizmodo today posted what looks like the easiest "recipe" yet for rooting the G1:
How To: Hack Android For Multitouch Web Browsing on the T-Mobile G1
One click root coming soon? Is it possible
Paramount X said:
One click root coming soon? Is it possible
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Honestly (and I'm completely new to android and rooting) the number of guides, threads, replies, AND videos ---(i used this method) out there make rooting about as easy as if you were to just "one click root".
I used this guide here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHrtVzlsA_s
All credit goes to Mackster248.
He made it simple.
Try it and good luck. I got it on the first try no problems.
Did I mention I've never done this kind of thing before?
Perhaps this is something entirely different - can't you use something like Visionary? That's 1-click...
mwelliott said:
Perhaps this is something entirely different - can't you use something like Visionary? That's 1-click...
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Short answer is no.
Long answer is there will not ever be true, permanent 1-click root for new devices due to the protection that manufacturers are implementing nowadays.
Question for you: what will happen in case something goes wrong and all you know how to do 1-click? None of the shortcuts (visionary, 1-click, root explorer, titanium, etc) will help you if you can't get into your phone.
The point is, there's a reason root doesn't come standard on your phone. There's a real chance to brick that shiny $500 device of yours therefore you really need to learn how to use tools that are available. Read up some guides, get ADB going, learn how the system works (at least have a rough idea) and make sure that you know how to search and how to follow the directions.
I'm not trying to be a **** or patronize anyone here or be mean or anything like that. I just can't stress enough that shortcuts are only good if you know what they do and you can get by without them. They are time savers, not substitute for knowledge.
The last thing I'm going to say: grankin01 wrote an excellent guide on rooting/s-off/cid-unlocking HERE. If you can't follow it - you REALLY shouldn't be messing with your phone. Please think about it.
Good luck.
P.S. Visionary will give temp-root which is enough for most people... but you would've known that if you searched a little
Hi guys,
I have been looking into the rooting/flashing process a bit, and it seems pretty straight forward for the most part. The primary reason that I have not followed through yet is the tiny fear that I will ruin my phone. The video (and forum thread) tutorials make it seem pretty easy, though, and there are not a lot of points where it seems like something could go wrong.
At which steps is bricking really a potential risk? There were a couple of points during the rooting process where it seemed like typing the wrong commands in terminal could result in some troubles. I have not looked as deeply into the flashing process, so I am unsure if there are more risks there.
Furthermore, is it possible to "unbrick" a mytouch 4g? I did a quick look around the forum and found what seemed to be threads discussing unbricking other phones. Once a mytouch 4g is bricked, is it basically completely and irreversibly useless?
Finally, I was also wondering if this process would eventually be even simpler than it is now. Like I had said, it already seems somewhat straight forward. If this is about as easy as it gets, then there really isn't any incentive to wait. If, however, many of these devices get even simpler solutions down the road, I might hold off.
Thanks,
Neel
Flashing hboot can brick the phone, but that step is no longer necessary. I would imagine the gfree changes could corrupt the radio if something were to potentially go wrong there, and from what I understand the radio is what boots the phone.
If you can't boot into hboot, I believe at this point in time the phone is unrecoverable.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Thanks for the reply. That is definitely something I will keep in mind as I continue to research the process.
I don't think there will be easier process to root MT4G, it's not as simple as, let's say, G1 or Magic, back in the day. However, current process is simple enough where most, if not all, can do it. My personal suggestion is to use ADB for most of the process and copy/paste all critical commands (like the one for writing hboot what not). This way you can be sure that nothing was mistyped (yeah, VKs are great but not THAT great).
Also, folllow only 1 guide. There people that try to follow a guide, something goes wrong and they jump to another guide... and another guide and then we see a thread with something along the lines of:
Help!!!! I was following all these guides and I dont know what I did but my phone wont boot past MT logo. I think I ran Visionary and then I did that DD thing, can anyone tell me how to fix my phone!!!!
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Other then that... kudos for doing research and good luck.
borodin1 said:
I don't think there will be easier process to root MT4G, it's not as simple as, let's say, G1 or Magic, back in the day. However, current process is simple enough where most, if not all, can do it. My personal suggestion is to use ADB for most of the process and copy/paste all critical commands (like the one for writing hboot what not). This way you can be sure that nothing was mistyped (yeah, VKs are great but not THAT great).
Also, folllow only 1 guide. There people that try to follow a guide, something goes wrong and they jump to another guide... and another guide and then we see a thread with something along the lines of:
Other then that... kudos for doing research and good luck.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips. I had been focusing on two of the video tutorials out there (both of which referenced the thread here), but I will probably end up reading the whole thread and going off of that before attempting to root.
Thought everyone might find this interesting...
http://www.modaco.com/page/news/_/a...h-superboot-bootloader-unlock-a-problem-r1003
That is only for his method that his having problems. Have you checked the dev section here? Go check and tell me if its possible to root or not.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2183942
I know that's there I was purely making people aware that not all methods may work...as a lot of people use Paul's methods (seeing as he is a bit of an HTC god) it's good to know all the information so you can make an informed decision