WaveSecure Serious Vulnerability!! - Desire Themes and Apps

I'm using Modaco latest r8 rom with froyo 2.2. I noticed 2 things:
1. wave secure will not download my account data automatically when I factory reset. I need to register again which make it vulnerable. >> Anyone can disable wave secure
2. I don't even need to factory reset and I can reset wave secure by clearing the data in settings!!!!
I have tried in original HTC ROM 2.09(rooted) and flash in /system/app. same situation.
And I've tried that if wavesecure hasn't been register, you can't lock it from wavesecure.com or sms
I don't know if this is due to the nature of froyo or it's been like this since 2.1
wave secure is practically useless right now on my phone!!
Anyone can confirm this?

called them and they said they disabled the function for temp as they are working on some fix, it will be up again in 3 weeks as what they said

Yep, saw this on MoDaCo. Will not be renewing my WaveSecure subscription.

Lets be honest, it was a waste of money to begin with right.

This whole thing makes me wonder...can an Android phone REALLY be protected by these kind of softwares? Even assuming there are no security issues with the app..I mean,a lot of Android phones are rooted by their owners and all are rootable (?) without booting into the OS, so even if said apps are installed as system apps (just like wavesecure can be) what's preventing a "smart/geek" thief from pulling the battery, changing the simcard,(rooting a non-rooted phone), booting into recovery, mounting system and wreaking havoc through adb, including removing the security app?? Am i going on a wild goose chase or is all this sound??

MacCarron said:
This whole thing makes me wonder...can an Android phone REALLY be protected by these kind of softwares? Even assuming there are no security issues with the app..I mean,a lot of Android phones are rooted by their owners and all are rootable (?) without booting into the OS, so even if said apps are installed as system apps (just like wavesecure can be) what's preventing a "smart/geek" thief from pulling the battery, changing the simcard,(rooting a non-rooted phone), booting into recovery, mounting system and wreaking havoc through adb, including removing the security app?? Am i going on a wild goose chase or is all this sound??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, but I don't think the average mugger/thief is that smart
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

So can I cancel my current subscription then and get a refund?

If you install wavesecure to /system/app and make sure its only there and not in /data/app as well then you should not have this problem.
Also wavesecure have gone through a rough month, got brought by Mcafee who in turn just got brought by Intel. They need to adjust to the new owners. They are (were) only a small company and lets face it their app is the best around by a long long way.
If you have any problems or suggestions on how to improve they usually listen (it was one of TeamVillain and a xda mod who suggested they make a update.zip for /system/app and a number of other improvements and they did it straight away).
Don't just say "oh no its not working" no app can protect your phone from the right people, if someone who knows all about rooting etc gets your phone then your screwed anwyay. But the average joe thug who steals your phone will get it, put in a new sim the alarm will go crazy then they panic, drop the phone and run. You can then use the tracker to find it, or give details to police.
Just put the apk in your rom next time before you flash in system/app and flash the rom. Restore data from a backup (but not the app) and you still get your market link too.

Lennyuk said:
If you install wavesecure to /system/app and make sure its only there and not in /data/app as well then you should not have this problem.
Also wavesecure have gone through a rough month, got brought by Mcafee who in turn just got brought by Intel. They need to adjust to the new owners. They are (were) only a small company and lets face it their app is the best around by a long long way.
If you have any problems or suggestions on how to improve they usually listen (it was one of TeamVillain and a xda mod who suggested they make a update.zip for /system/app and a number of other improvements and they did it straight away).
Don't just say "oh no its not working" no app can protect your phone from the right people, if someone who knows all about rooting etc gets your phone then your screwed anwyay. But the average joe thug who steals your phone will get it, put in a new sim the alarm will go crazy then they panic, drop the phone and run. You can then use the tracker to find it, or give details to police.
Just put the apk in your rom next time before you flash in system/app and flash the rom. Restore data from a backup (but not the app) and you still get your market link too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While i agree with you that a witch hunt isn't the proper response and that it is unlikely that the average thief will know his way around adb, i have personally tried to remove wavesecure from /system/app...it works...i did it without breaking a sweat. I intentionally triggered the lock by attempting to uninstall the uninstall-protection, pulled off the battery, booted in recovery and got rid of wavese cure with a single command. Reboot and presto! A free phone . So it is true that there is no full-proof way to be safeguarded, at least using this software, and in my humble opinion the guys over at wavesecure should clearly state so on their website. And they don't always listen..there is a long story of noisy silences concerning op's issue...omissions, censorship etc etc. I got a free lifetime subscription so i'm not particularly yelling at anyone, just making hypothetis, but wouldn't you be quite pissed off if someone stole your phone and rendered it's security software (for which you payed) impotent just because he knew "SU"?

MacCarron said:
While i agree with you that a witch hunt isn't the proper response and that it is unlikely that the average thief will know his way around adb, i have personally tried to remove wavesecure from /system/app...it works...i did it without breaking a sweat. I intentionally triggered the lock by attempting to uninstall the uninstall-protection, pulled off the battery, booted in recovery and got rid of wavese cure with a single command. Reboot and presto! A free phone . So it is true that there is no full-proof way to be safeguarded, at least using this software, and in my humble opinion the guys over at wavesecure should clearly state so on their website. And they don't always listen..there is a long story of noisy silences concerning op's issue...omissions, censorship etc etc. I got a free lifetime subscription so i'm not particularly yelling at anyone, just making hypothetis, but wouldn't you be quite pissed off if someone stole your phone and rendered it's security software (for which you payed) impotent just because he knew "SU"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is though, if they knew SU and other commands chances are they will get around any protection whatever it would be.
But Wavesecure offers you a way to track the phone, you can still contact your carrier and get them to IMEI blacklist it, then track the handset down via wavesecure.

hi - just check out secrep5265.blogspot.com - thats interesting information concerning your discussion.

Related

[Q] Security - privacy

Since android is not really the securest OS in the mobile landscape, I'm wondering, are there any apk-scanners or something? Definitly, I want to protect my contacts and other info from the outside world. No matter what.
Also, android is smoking hot, and really vuln.
If there's nothing to protect my phone, I'll switch back to winmo for now.
Check out Lookout Mobile. Works with WinMo and Android. Very good app to have. Ive used it on my HD2 since first week I had it. Can even find your phone if you lose it and Nuke all your data, back it up online, make your phone "scream" if you misplace it. Its LOUD though haha.
donkeypunch85 said:
Check out Lookout Mobile. Works with WinMo and Android. Very good app to have. Ive used it on my HD2 since first week I had it. Can even find your phone if you lose it and Nuke all your data, back it up online, make your phone "scream" if you misplace it. Its LOUD though haha.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol, yes, seen that app before when I was google-in'
just doubting if it can find rootkits etc.
Some funny features haha, I'll give it a try thanks
Actually, a rootkit for Android was recently demostrated at Defcon (don't have link sorry, just google it).
The current state of Android builds we have anyways aren't very secure because all of them have really dodgy full access permissions on key system files (esp the rooted builds), so currently any app could request root access and do stuff without you realising (with the exception of the Cyanogen-based builds, since that's the only one I'm aware of with a working copy of the Superuser Permissions app).

Best "Lost Phone" App?

I'm looking for a replacement for Mobile Defense since they seem to have discontinued their product. What's the best FREE app that will locate your phone, blast the ringer, remote wipe, etc...?
Thanks!
....
Lookout is a good app, if u set it up properly u wont even know its there yet, it does its job pretty well, no probs since mt4g came out, its free, but they recently added "premium" services, witch are really just to lock ur phone throught the site, ,, U can backup, locate, an keep virus free, for free though, you just cant lock it from online,.. also i doubt its a battery drainer, i still havent noticed any xtra battery loss
Thanks for the info. I'm looking to be able to remote wipe and remote lock and track the phone as well for free. Mobile Defense does all this but I don't think they're developing anymore and I heard there were issues with it on Froyo...
Lookout Mobile Security
Yea but Lookout charges you for the features I want...
Legaleye3000 said:
Yea but Lookout charges you for the features I want...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sometimes everything is not free. And sometimes you get what you pay for.
True, but if Mobile Defense offers all of those for free, someone else must also. I remember seeing an app that had everything for free, I just don't remember what the other app was.....
I saw this Lost Phone app. Haven't used it but it is free:
http://www.appbrain.com/app/lost-phone/com.gadgetprojects.lostphone
Wavesecure is the best!!!!!!!
When u autolock it sounds an alarm.....and when a different sim is inserted it sends text messages to numbers that u list in ur buddy list....doesn't let the person do a master reset
*Sent from my Tmobile MT4G*
When it comes to goofy apps and misc apps; free is always nice. But when it comes to security, I never compromise. Free or not, you get what you pay for.
I use the Premium version of Lookout. I used the free version for a long time and the jump was worth it.
There will always be someone who wants everything for free. Well...some things AREN'T. Get over it. Deal with it. That's the way it is.
If you want something bad enough and no-one makes it, why don't you be the first then?! Go develop a free security app that does everything you want then give it away to the rest of us who aren't complaining...
JM2C
Prey
The app you're looking for is called Prey. The company's website is PreyProject.com. I tried posting links but I can't because I'm a new user.
Legaleye3000 said:
I'm looking for a replacement for Mobile Defense since they seem to have discontinued their product. What's the best FREE app that will locate your phone, blast the ringer, remote wipe, etc...?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to clarify, Mobile Defense has not discontinued anything as I am still happily using their product. They have simply closed their open beta period (and it has been closed for quite awhile, 6 month or so). If you got in before it closed and simply had to swap phones, they have links on their website to re-download the client as long as you have a login.
You can no longer find them via the Market due to having closed their open beta period.
Please post questions in Q&A section.
chimatt said:
The app you're looking for is called Prey. The company's website is PreyProject.com. I tried posting links but I can't because I'm a new user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are several threads in the MT4G area about 'lost phone' style apps. Even though you sometimes get what you pay for, I'd rather not pay the $20-$30 per year for the ability to lock and fine my phone (as both Wavesecure and Lookout would seem to require) unless there's really no other alternative.
After reading through the recommendations in all of these threads, Prey actually looks like it might be the best in terms of offering the most features in the free version. I'd be interested in hearing more of other people's thoughts and experiences in using these apps (with consideration of their respective prices).
For now, I'm going to download Prey and I'll report back later with my thoughts.
Trip report on Prey:
So I got Prey installed on both Mytouch 4G's on my account and tried it out. The free version of the app lets you specify your phone as 'lost' via a user-defined SMS, and this worked every time. Upon sending the SMS to put the phone in 'lost' mode, you can also have the app perform several actions on the phone, including sounding an alarm, displaying a user-defined alert message, and locking the phone (with the stock android locking mechanism, but a Prey specific unlock password). These actions can be modified from he Prey website control panel (even after phone is in lost mode), and are performed a frequency of between 10 and 40 minutes while the phone remains lost. You also receive an e-mail alert when your phone is put into 'lost' mode. Prey also has the option to put itself into lost mode if the sim card is replaced.
Regarding everything above, Prey seems to work great. A couple things to be aware of though: when the alarm sounds on your phone, it starts at the loudest volume but can be reduced in volume to zero with the rocker on the side of your phone even when locked. If it sounds again after the specified interval, it starts out at the loudest volume, but again can be reduced. Also, if you opt to lock your phone, then the user-defined alert message won't be displayed until the correct unlock password is entered on the device. Thus, you can't both lock your phone and display a message to the person who has it. The developers indicated that a future version of Prey may allow for an alert message to be displayed first, with a keypress then sending the phone to the lock screen. This would be a significant improvement imo, since it would be nice to display contact information for someone who may have innocently found your phone while at the same time protecting your privacy by having the phone locked down.
[[[EDIT: This paragraph no longer applies. As reported in my post (below), the developers have now fixed this problem, but I'm leaving this paragraph here as part of my original review. "Prey currently fails on the MT4G when it comes to generating reports in order to track the activities and location of your lost phone. The reports are supposed to be generated at the same frequency as the actions above (10 to 40 minute intervals) when in 'lost' mode, with the free version allowing you to have up to 10 reports on file before the newest report will replace the oldest one. However, after trying every possible setting I could think of on both the Prey side and phone side, I could never get these reports to generate on a consistent basis (success on <10% of attempts). I contacted the developers about this and other questions/concerns, and they were friendly and helpful with trying to resolve the issue. Apparently they haven't had any problems like this on their test device, but again, the reports are not reliable for the MT4G."]]]
In summary, Prey works great for being able to lock down your phone via SMS if it's lost or stolen, with an optional alert message and alarm sound. It currently does not [EDIT: DOES...the problem was fixed] work in terms of helping you find the location of your lost or stolen phone via gps/wifi, etc.
Note: Lookout does offer the ability to locate your device in the free version of that app, but does not allow wipe or lock without purchasing the premium app. Thus, perhaps using Lookout in conjunction with Prey allows the free version of each of these apps to compliment one another.
Edit: The developers of Prey continue to be very friendly and responsive. They contacted me to let me know that they are continuing to work on resolving the problem with generating reports. I'll report back when the issue is resolved.
Thanks to me if you found this review helpful : )
Update: The developers of Prey did some debugging and were able to find the problem that was keeping the location reports from being consistently generated. I tested out a fixed version on both of my Mytouch 4Gs and it now seems to be working perfectly.

[Q] Possible to lock phone in case of theft?

My Galaxy 1 was stolen from me in Feb, after that i went through a lent s3 and now proud owner of an s4 (i9500).
So i have two questions on this:
1) is there an equivalent for what a bios password is in a PC?
(have to go short something in hardware to bypass, only is asked upon powerup/hard reboot).
2) Is is technically possible for an app to lock on custom sim? (possibly modifying efs folder)
Thanks!
Abrojo said:
My Galaxy 1 was stolen from me in Feb, after that i went through a lent s3 and now proud owner of an s4 (i9500).
So i have two questions on this:
1) is there an equivalent for what a bios password is in a PC?
(have to go short something in hardware to bypass, only is asked upon powerup/hard reboot).
2) Is is technically possible for an app to lock on custom sim? (possibly modifying efs folder)
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://bit.ly/174zPh6
LeJolly said:
http://bit.ly/174zPh6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for patronizing me but that didnt answer my question, already been through pages of results when i previous galaxy was stolen (even tried locking from google play). None of the apps listed on a google search for locking and tracking do what i ask.
Centralized cloud based locking doesnt work (a blacklisted imei can get reinstated fairly easy), neither does the standard password Operating System level password.
Thats why i am asking for specific alternative ways of locking the phone that should be (if possible) more tampering resistant.
1) bios equivalent password.(requiering hardware shorting to bypass)
2) custom simlock
I use avast! free mobile security (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avast.android.mobilesecurity&hl=en),
the anti-theft module has option to block the phone if the sim card is changed
LeJolly said:
http://bit.ly/174zPh6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What a woeful answer. Try reading before you be a ****.
In answer, no there is nothing similar to a BIOS lock on Android phones, however like mist813 said, Avast is quite good. If you have root access you can install it as a system apk then even if the thief wipes your phone, it's still there.
You could also try lookout its free. Can do tracking, remote wipe and also takes a photo of anyone trying to unlock your phone.
I don't think there is anything that can prevent someone from just flashing a new firmware and wiping the phone completely.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 2
I don't think there is an equivalent to BIOS lock in Android. I'm not sure if you tried Lookout or the native Samsung remote control under security settings. Both gives you the options to locate, lock, scream or wipe your data. I tried the locate and scream options and they work. Never tried lock or wipe, but they should also work! Now going to the fact of wether someone can bypass or overcome these security measures, then I personally think it's possible and whatever we do he can find a way to go around it depending on how smart and resourceful he is! If my phone is stolen, frankly speaking I won't waste my time trying to find it or just lock it. All what I'll care about is to wipe the data off, and hopefully these softwares will work if needed!
Sent from my SGS IV using Tapatalk 2
Abrojo said:
Thank you for patronizing me but that didnt answer my question, already been through pages of results when i previous galaxy was stolen (even tried locking from google play). None of the apps listed on a google search for locking and tracking do what i ask.
Centralized cloud based locking doesnt work (a blacklisted imei can get reinstated fairly easy), neither does the standard password Operating System level password.
Thats why i am asking for specific alternative ways of locking the phone that should be (if possible) more tampering resistant.
1) bios equivalent password.(requiering hardware shorting to bypass)
2) custom simlock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay lets not be a **** this time.
1) There's nothing equivalent to that bios thing
2) http://stackoverflow.com/questions/...-the-device-on-removal-of-sim-card-or-sd-card
There are also apps that just notify you if sim card is changed for example this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=instigate.simCardChangeNotifier&hl=fi
And of course there are some apps that let you remotely control your phone for example http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=7567932
Abrojo,
You don't really need a third-party app for this.
Please check out the Samsung Dive service. (www.samsungdive.com)
You can track your phone, lock it with a custom password, sound an alarm, etc...
The problem is, the phone needs to have Internet access.
I am using the Cerberus app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lsdroid.cerberus&hl=en)
This is the best rated Anti-theft app you can find for your Android.
a license costs 3USD if I remember correctly. With one license you can secure up to five Android phones.
Featuers:
Track your phone
Remote lock
Remote wipe
And a lot more options...
A couple of things that I think are extremely useful:
When a wrong password or pattern is drawn to unlock your phone, a picture is taken with the front camera and emailed to you together with the location of the phone.
When the SIM is swapped, you can configure up to three phone numbers that will receive an SMS with the new SIM card number and the location of the phone.
You can hide the app from the App Drawer.
Check it out... very useful
i use also cerberusapp 4 years now. everything is perfect. when u install as system app u can do everything.
Sent from my ThL W8 using xda premium
Apparently there is also rumors of LoJack already being built into these phones, with the possibility to activate it some time in the near future. Don't remember all the details, but I just read an article about that. Not being patronizing when I say it, but Google Galaxy S4 LoJack and look into it.
Also, I am on Verizon, and am testing out their mobile security app that is preinstalled. It's $1 a month, but they allow you to remotely lock your phone, wipe it, and track it should you lose it. I don't believe it embedded at the hardware level, but it is something that gives me a little piece of mind.
Edit: I went to switch to the Norton Mobile Security app, since I use it for all of my other devices, and discovered that the Verizon Mobile Security App - once activated - cannot be uninstalled, force stopped, you cannot clear the data, and you cannot disable it. In order to do so, I first have to go into my Verizon account online, sign in, and unsubscribe from the service. After realizing that, I have chosen to keep the Verizon security app, because it has that extra layer of security. Are there ways of bypassing that, I'm sure there are. But assuming that my phone is stolen by some low level thief and not some crazy high level criminal circuit, I should have no problem retrieving it.
Samsung Dive down?
I cant seem to have this page load up www.samsungdive.com
Is it down for you too?
Sm007hCriminal said:
I cant seem to have this page load up www.samsungdive.com
Is it down for you too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's working with me.
Sent from my SGS IV using Tapatalk 2

Coaxing GrooVe IP to work?

Yeah, I know it's kind of "out there", but consider the problem a proof-of-concept exercise
I've found an old version of the app that will install and "run" on Eclair--but not so old that it still tries to log into GoogleVoice. I can get past the intro screen but for the "sign in" screen I get a white-out condition except for the little bar that says "Sign in". The menu options (help and exit) can still be brought up.
I use GrooVe IP Lite on my Nook Tablet and a cheap little unactivated Kit-Kat smartphone I bought as a dedicated mp3 player (after my beloved Insignia Pilot died :crying. It works great for an emergency call if you can scare up wi-fi----and it's free (to any land-line in the US or Canada--cell phones too, I guess). In this respect it seems better than Skype to me unless you have a lot of overseas contacts (I don't).
So....I uninstalled the current app from my little Kit-Kat device and side-loaded the old app. It ran just fine, allowed me to sign in, etc. Once signed in and exited, the next time the app starts you are already signed in. Hmm. I started digging in the /data/data folder for the app and came across two xml files of preferences, one of which clearly contained log-in information (my assigned telephone number, my email, etc.). So I tried copying that file to the same folder on the NST, hoping to get past the indomitable white-out. No joy. Same behavior AND when I checked the xml file I had overwritten it had been returned to a generic state, minus my personal data
I tried two other things. I reactivated the old phone.apk system app. That made no difference. I didn't try the telephony or whatever that other one is. I also started up USB audio before going to the app, thinking it might check for audio capabilities (and it still might) but that made no difference.
I'd probably never use the app on the NST but I am curious about what is keeping it from working. Perhaps the voip server just rejects log-in attempts from really old Android systems.
Any ideas?
Sorry for necroposting but this topic is in line of mine reasoning to use device as much as possible as it is. So if it does not have camera why would you need a Skype or Whatsapp? As a VoIP phone that is OK. Did you made any progress on that one? I am asking because I have a feeling that it might be possible to write an application that would work like VoIP/SIP/web phone to completely remove Phone.apk that reside in NST.
SJT75 said:
Sorry for necroposting but this topic is in line of mine reasoning to use device as much as possible as it is. So if it does not have camera why would you need a Skype or Whatsapp? As a VoIP phone that is OK. Did you made any progress on that one? I am asking because I have a feeling that it might be possible to write an application that would work like VoIP/SIP/web phone to completely remove Phone.apk that reside in NST.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I eventually gave up on the idea. It was only a lark from the start, just to see if it would be possible, but the demands of the task exceeded my knowledge. GrooveIP has changed the way connections are made as well as encryption schemes several times over since I first looked at the issue. All that aside, I doubt that the device could now login to the new servers even if all the code were properly in place.
Re: Phone.apk, on the NST this is where the control of the Android volume resides, so if you remove that you lose the ability to control the media volume (or any volume, for that matter). I eventually discovered this after a lot of flailing around with kludges to prevent the media volume from blasting out when using USB Audio. Many people had deactivated or deleted Phone.apk (me too). When I re-enabled the app I suddenly had access to the volume controls.
nmyshkin said:
No, I eventually gave up on the idea.
Re: Phone.apk, on the NST this is where the control of the Android volume resides, so if you remove that you lose the ability to control the media volume (or any volume, for that matter). I eventually discovered this after a lot of flailing around with kludges to prevent the media volume from blasting out when using USB Audio. Many people had deactivated or deleted Phone.apk (me too). When I re-enabled the app I suddenly had access to the volume controls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First thanks for reply. Second does that mean you won't have anything against me trying to do something like that... it might not be GrooVeIP since I haven't decided what service would be optimal to begin with. Third I have read your experiments with Phone.apk and that part of volume control resides there that is why I suggest not to remove it but rewrite it in a more usable form. Even if I fail doing that at least I might have satisfaction in knowing that I tried.
SJT75 said:
First thanks for reply. Second does that mean you won't have anything against me trying to do something like that... it might not be GrooVeIP since I haven't decided what service would be optimal to begin with. Third I have read your experiments with Phone.apk and that part of volume control resides there that is why I suggest not to remove it but rewrite it in a more usable form. Even if I fail doing that at least I might have satisfaction in knowing that I tried.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By all means, give it a try! Supposedly some versions of WhatsApp would run on the NST. Again, whether you could log in to a server is another matter.
nmyshkin said:
By all means, give it a try! Supposedly some versions of WhatsApp would run on the NST. Again, whether you could log in to a server is another matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also think that WhatsApp would fail since company promised support for devices with Android older then 2.3 would be maintained until February of this year. Still some other existing software might go through installation process and be registered using code sent to mobile phone that have same software or maybe I find something new who knows.

Rooting and Fixing Samsung Galaxy Tab E (SM-T560NU) (and fixing -504 issue)

Disclaimer: I know this should go in the correct subforum for my device, but I'm having trouble navigating this site, altogether. I only see subforums for a handful of devices. So if there is a better place for this thread, I apologize
Oh, where to begin. My wonderful girlfriend got me this tablet back in october, since i said it'd be nice to have a linux based tablet so i wouldn't have apple telling me what i can and cannot do with my device (she saw that as a hint, even though it was more social commentary, but I'll take it). Anyway, I found the 16GB limitation problematic, so I decided to root it so i could use some sort of sshfs app to create a slow multi-terabyte harddrive space to steam small files (like music) from. Seeing as i had the thing for only a week and it's kind of expensive, even for a nurse, to buy for me, i chickened out and made due with a small 8GB microSD card which i just happened to have laying around.
Fast forward to a few days ago, I ordered from Amazon a 128GB microSD card (also from samsung), and decided to try to make due with that. Only to find out (and, if you're able to help me you've probably met the following issues yourselves) that the seemingly largest apps refuse to let you move them to external storage. Even better, there's some apps like Star Wars KOTOR (2.5GB) that say they let you move them, but in reality they stay on internal storage and create empty folders on the external medium. And then many apps cannot write and read to and from SD cards (like DOSbox Turbo), for reasons that completely stump me (which leads to me having to move dos games back and forth when i want to play one that saves). I then read about this wonderful feature called "Adoptable Storage," and promptly go through all sorts of things to try to enable it, only to find out that, since I have Android Version 6.0.1 from Samsung, that feature was disabled by them. After using the email support to berate them (they don't have a suggestion box), decided to try to come here and figure out how to properly root this device and figure out how to solve my space issue (I have 128GB of space that I need to use, but have no idea how to use it for what i need to use it for). By the way, a small shoutout to Samsung support, despite my very terse response, there clearly was a human being at the other end and this human was very, very civil and said that they'll pass it on as feedback (I got the impression that the employee either had the same issue or at least wanted me to know that there have been alot of complaints about this issue).
Anyway, now that that wall of text is over, this is how far i've gotten.
I know that XDA is reliable, they've had problems in the past with malware, but it was unintentional and the ship has been cleaned. I don't know about anywhere else, so the rooting instructions i find elsewhere i assume are probably correct, but i don't know where to get files for the process that i can trust, outside of XDA (and i'm having trouble finding the files i need, here).
I have a nice little article from techbeasts.com ( techbeasts.com/install-twrp-and-root-samsung-galaxy-tab-e/ ), but I don't know where their downloads came from and how many people checked them out for windows and android trojans and such.
So...
1. Is that article accurate for android 6.0.1?
2. Are those files safe (free from corruption and viruses)?
3. If they're not safe, where can I get safe files?
4. I like to develop programs, and I want to be able to develop apps for android as well. Once rooted, how does one test how their app would work on an unrooted device to ensure the app follows the "proper procedures?"
5. How do I deal with apps that are root sensitive? The point of all this is so that I can keep using my apps, so if they all break because i'm rooted that defeats the purpose.
6. Other than having to be careful with what i do (I've used Linux for years, and I occasionally like to code in assembly), that it voids my warranty, and that screwing up can make for a really bad day, is there anything else that I should know? This is, indeed, my first touch screen device outside of Nintendo products, because my V3xi is fine for me as a phone.
EDIT:
7. Forgot the most important question: How would I go about getting adoptable storage working on this device once it is rooted?
Forward: Given the nature of my question, the URL is absolutely necessary. After I've gotten my "10 useful posts" I'll fix the URL for future viewers.
EDIT2: Decided to take a chance. Ran into some issues finding the "stock firmware" which I ended up having to do. For those that have problem getting TWRP to stick, you gotta flash the stock firmware of the version you have currently installed. I tried to flash the original that it came with, which, for some reason, it didn't like at all.
Oh, and don't turn off OEM mode after everything's done. I assumed that after everything was installed it wouldn't second guess it and i could safely turn it off for added security if any app went rogue or something. Nope, must keep it on, so do regular backups. Turn off auto-updating, etc. I hear there's some sort of app that lets you "update safely." Not sure what it is, but unless you *NEED* it, don't do it.
And as a bonus note (so it shows up in the archives), some apps didn't install right (either google or the app developer's fault, but these apps weren't tied to this process [pokemon go and just about all the final fantasy games]). The kicker about this is is that you will not notice this UNTIL you uninstall the app, and reinstall it. Deleting the data before uninstalling the app will make it unstable. To find the data, i used
Code:
du / | grep "pokemon" > pokesearch.log
, since i knew that there should not have been a pokemon related directory on my droid at the time, since i needed to reinstall pokemon go because it was acting really fruity. Deleting the folders (actually, the last entry contains the rest, so it's easier just to delete the last one) allowed me to avoid the -504 issue (not to be confused with 504).
Code:
[email protected]:/data/data/com.termux/files/home # cat pokesearch.log
4 /mnt/expand/07aa2c40-4a8f-428c-afb9-7495df69eb26/user/0/com.nianticlabs.pokemongo/cache
1192 /mnt/expand/07aa2c40-4a8f-428c-afb9-7495df69eb26/user/0/com.nianticlabs.pokemongo/code_cache
12 /mnt/expand/07aa2c40-4a8f-428c-afb9-7495df69eb26/user/0/com.nianticlabs.pokemongo/shared_prefs
4 /mnt/expand/07aa2c40-4a8f-428c-afb9-7495df69eb26/user/0/com.nianticlabs.pokemongo/files
1220 /mnt/expand/07aa2c40-4a8f-428c-afb9-7495df69eb26/user/0/com.nianticlabs.pokemongo
Message me if have the same tablet on a system root
Sent from my SM-S907VL using Tapatalk
denakor said:
Message me if have the same tablet on a system root
Sent from my SM-S907VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We can talk here for the benefit of the community. Any problems you might have should be documented for the sake of the community. But, yes, the -504 error i mentioned above can only be solved through root, so, yes, i was successful.
Kohlrak said:
We can talk here for the benefit of the community. Any problems you might have should be documented for the sake of the community. But, yes, the -504 error i mentioned above can only be solved through root, so, yes, i was successful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same tablet
---------- Post added at 09:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:28 PM ----------
keith thibodeau said:
I have the same tablet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tablet just updated itself after I tried to root it .. MM 7.0.1 but I didnt ask it to
I disabled automatic updates (from settings and google play, 'cause it's in both places) to prevent this problem. There might be a new firmware for the tablet, but i'm sticking to this version. I'm not sure you can downgrade after you upgrade, though. You can take a shot, though, if you're not afraid of loosing data. I doubt this process will brick as long as you can get the official firm ware on backup incase something goes wrong.
Kohlrak said:
We can talk here for the benefit of the community. Any problems you might have should be documented for the sake of the community. But, yes, the -504 error i mentioned above can only be solved through root, so, yes, i was successful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now it seems impossible to root without pc

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