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I have been reading this forum for some weeks now and wanted to thank you all for the great info here. I got my first Android phone (Vibrant) a few weeks ago.
I found out about rooting just yesterday. Since I really don't want to spend a lot of time troubleshooting the phone, I had a few questions to figure out whether I should root or not:
Will rooting my phone be overall worth it? Will I have to troubleshoot it a lot as a result? It works well now.
How will the updates work in the future? For example, I won't have to worry about Android 2.2 because it will be included in Cyanogen? Will my phone notify me when it's time to update?
This one is important: are there any instructions that tell me how to backup my current phone so that I can restore it to the original condition in case something happens?
Is Cyanogen accepted to be the best for rooting?
Will all my applications become uninstalled? Will anything else change besides my access level? I read some conflicting into on this.
Can you think of any disadvantages to rooting (other than possible voiding of warranty if you can't hide it)?
Do you guys have a list in this forum as to which applications are bloatware and should be removed (and are safe to remove)? I don't know anything about Android, so I have no idea
And finally, is there a thread/list where all the most important/useful applications that should be installed after rooting are listed? I know titanium backup is one. I couldn't understand what BusyBox does. So a list with explanations would be great.
I haven't liked the battery life of this phone and I am hoping that after removing all the bloatware from it that issue might be fixed as well. My phone starts with 160M+ memory. Even though I keep killing open applications, the performance keeps dropping over time until I can't get more memory beyond ~90M. This is when I have to shut down the phone and turn back on. Other than tethering, my main reason for rooting is 1.performance gain and 2.battery life extension.
Thanks for all the help. A lot of talented people on this forum.
There is no reason to not root this phone in my opinion. You can unroot it. You will get OTA updates using the stock ROM. Many of the recommended apps, guides, useful information is in the sticky at the top. Please read that, then ask any more detailed question you may have.
edit: when you root, there will be NO change to your apps/contacts/settings/etc.... you will reboot and be like "well, am I rooted?"... look for the superuser app in your app drawer, there? Good, you were successful.
Ok, you got an excellent thread there that pretty much answered all my questions! I will root my phone and get back here if I have any more questions, with a cleaned up list. Thanks.
will applying the RyanZA fix stop the OTA update?
A lot of people have this misconception that rooting means modifying their phone. Rooting by itself is not really modifying anything on your phone, all it does is give you super user privileges.
Think of your Mac or Windows PC, you have administrative accounts and you have user accounts. Admins can do anything, user accounts are typically limited.
When you have root access to your phone, you are the admin. You can access features that default account can't.
With that said, once you do have su you step into a whole new world with many different paths. You can can simply stay rooted and use apps that required root access and leave it at that.
Or you can dive into custom ROMs. This is where you step off the manufacturers intended path and follow community developed versions of the operating system.
Alternatively, in between those two extremes above you can do many things in between. You can stay with stock rom but have custom (modules or programs) APKs, or other modifications that change or expand on stock ROM.
Always keep in mind that once you choose to root, what happens to your device is your responsibility. Once again, your responsibility. If you are not willing to accept that, then stay non-rooted/stock and responsibility will be on Samsung to add/remove features, provide updates, fix bugs, etc.
Ok, so a few questions:
I bought Autostart and hid the system apps. Now what? I don't know what to disable from this list. There are applications, but they are listed under several categories. For example, "Application Removed." I have no idea what that category is for. Should I just worry about "After Startup"? Please elaborate.
You don't recommend AppKiller. Won't all those open applications just drain the battery? For example, if I have TeleNav open, how can I close it after I am done using it without AKiller?
There is an entire thread of various people posting various things, but I still would like to see just ONE combined list of all the "safe" bloatware to remove and "risky" ones. That thread did not help me at all since various people are reporting various things.
You recommend Root Explorer, which is kind of expensive. Is there any reason why I can't use the uninstall function of Titanium Backup? Is it any less thorough?
Where is the restart function?
How can I disable those annoying power down and power up sounds of the phone? Can this be done without lowering system volume?
Thanks!
Awesome, Glad to hear your root went well.
1. I bought Autostart and hid the system apps. Now what? I don't know what to disable from this list. There are applications, but they are listed under several categories. For example, "Application Removed." I have no idea what that category is for. Should I just worry about "After Startup"? Please elaborate.
I remove almost all non-system apps unless it is logical wht said app would need to function, aka, text received you would not want to block messanger/handcent..... if there is something you are questioning, just let me know.
2. You don't recommend AppKiller. Won't all those open applications just drain the battery? For example, if I have TeleNav open, how can I close it after I am done using it without AKiller?
Now that you have root, remove all of the bloatware and it will not be an issue. These run in the background and very likely are not using ANY of your resources.
3. There is an entire thread of various people posting various things, but I still would like to see just ONE combined list of all the "safe" bloatware to remove and "risky" ones. That thread did not help me at all since various people are reporting various things.
I used that thread because a lot of people posted the apps they removed. Almost all of them can be removed, if there is one you are questioning, let me know.
4. You recommend Root Explorer, which is kind of expensive. Is there any reason why I can't use the uninstall function of Titanium Backup? Is it any less thorough?
I mentioned in the sticky that I do not use TB. I know it allows you to remove apps, but Root Explorer does this and a lot more. For example..... #6
5. Where is the restart function?
Not sure I know what you mean? if you want a reboot option you can get Quick Boot from the market.
6. How can I disable those annoying power down and power up sounds of the phone? Can this be done without lowering system volume?
In the sticky I show where the files are located. With Root Explorer you can navigate to them and delete the files.
I agree with a lot on this thread. A master Guide for rooting/unrooting and usage should be made. The FAQ currently stickied is informative for the most part but it focuses on far too many things to be able to go into enough detail on each. Personally I would like a "All things root" guide or something sticked which is comprehensive and focuses JUST on that, with the most common root usage apps and things posted (including safe disabling or removal of bloat, backing up, flashing roms, etc.) so that people who have NO idea whatsoever and it is their first phone or something can just read that and feel at home. I may start working on one if no one else does it, we'll see.
}{Alienz}{ said:
so that people who have NO idea whatsoever and it is their first phone or something can just read that and feel at home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say that if someone has no idea what they are doing, the last thing they should be attempting is flashing firmware on their phone.
The layer of obscurity and technical difficulty associated with rooting/modding is of benefit in terms of preventing people from doing things they should not be doing without sufficient knowledge base.
There is plenty of info here and online in general to start someone off if they are interested in learning about this in general.
IMHO, creating a trail of bread crumbs for someone who doesn't know what they are doing is more likely to hurt them or community in general rather than help them.
In my experience rooting your could be fun and a nightmare, if not done properly and, you have of time on you're you could become a rom switching addict cyanogen is currently available for the vibrant you can still root, but you will be on stock vibrant rom.till samsung release the source code so no froyo.and the rumor is that they won't release the source code.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
s15274n said:
Awesome, Glad to hear your root went well.
1. I bought Autostart and hid the system apps. Now what? I don't know what to disable from this list. There are applications, but they are listed under several categories. For example, "Application Removed." I have no idea what that category is for. Should I just worry about "After Startup"? Please elaborate.
I remove almost all non-system apps unless it is logical wht said app would need to function, aka, text received you would not want to block messanger/handcent..... if there is something you are questioning, just let me know.
2. You don't recommend AppKiller. Won't all those open applications just drain the battery? For example, if I have TeleNav open, how can I close it after I am done using it without AKiller?
Now that you have root, remove all of the bloatware and it will not be an issue. These run in the background and very likely are not using ANY of your resources.
3. There is an entire thread of various people posting various things, but I still would like to see just ONE combined list of all the "safe" bloatware to remove and "risky" ones. That thread did not help me at all since various people are reporting various things.
I used that thread because a lot of people posted the apps they removed. Almost all of them can be removed, if there is one you are questioning, let me know.
4. You recommend Root Explorer, which is kind of expensive. Is there any reason why I can't use the uninstall function of Titanium Backup? Is it any less thorough?
I mentioned in the sticky that I do not use TB. I know it allows you to remove apps, but Root Explorer does this and a lot more. For example..... #6
5. Where is the restart function?
Not sure I know what you mean? if you want a reboot option you can get Quick Boot from the market.
6. How can I disable those annoying power down and power up sounds of the phone? Can this be done without lowering system volume?
In the sticky I show where the files are located. With Root Explorer you can navigate to them and delete the files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. What I don't understand is that the category says "New Outgoing Call" and GVoice beneath it. So I should NOT disable it, right? Because it has nothing to do with startup? But if so, then almost every other category has nothing to do with startup either. It is only the first listing that says "After Startup" and it misses A LOT of applications that do start up, like TeleNav. I don't even see TeleNav anywhere in that list. Same is true for "Email," Gallery," "Voice Dialer," and a bunch of other apps that I don't want to start on startup. I don't see any way of killing these other than by ATKiller. Am I missing something here?
2. See the problem is this: right now I have Telenav and I use it sometimes. However, I don't want it to run just whenever. So if I don't want to uninstall it, isn't my only solution ATKiller? There are other programs like this. And I can't disable them from the Autostart menu either since they're not there (Filtered out System files).
3. That site does not list what each of the bloatware does. For example, I am not sure I want to remove Account and Sync because I might need it for my bills. Same thing with "MyFiles." I don't even know what "vvm" is.
4. I am not able to tether the phone. I already tried Barnacle and it said "Running..." after I disabled supplicant, used channel 6, and disable ad-hoc. Then I tried this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=739147&highlight=tether, but I am still not able to connect. My laptop detects the phone as "computer-to-computer network," but when I click connect, it keeps trying to connect and then doesn't. I am not sure where to go from here.
Thanks.
One more thing I still don't know: how are the updates going to work from now on? Whenever an Android update comes out, like 2.1update or Froyo, do I have to come here and do everything manually? Or is there a way from within the phone to find out with one click? I am assuming whatever update is available for the phone will also be available for custom download (otherwise I could unroot, update, reroot?).
Thanks.
By the way, I also agree about a complete guide. It's not that it will enable the clueless to mess up their phone, but rather the opposite - it will allow the clueless to become cluefull. Such a guide would be very helpful. Meanwhile I am having to jump from thread to thread and then to Google trying to find out about this or that. That's not to say that the guide available isn't very helpful already.
I've already contacted a few people about starting said guide. I have not got much feedback from people willing to help....
^ you've asked a lot man... I can try and answer some, but you need to keep doing some reading. I feel like I've offered up a lot as is.
Just b/c you have root, does not mean you will not receive the OTA updates. If Froyo is released, you can update from the phone, you will lose root though. Most of us, will wait for the developers to have a stock froyo + root that we can flash.
why use telenav? I am not familiar.. just curious why not use google nav?
autostarts, just b/c you have it set to not start an app on boot, does not mean when you click the icon to open it will cause an issue. Really not that big of a deal. If you notice an issue, just set the app back to enabled.
Do not use a task killer.
The thread I linked has plenty of information for what you can remove from the phone, with instructions.... same for the barnacle tether app. If you want, download Wireless Tether, google it... the source code is on google.
http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/downloads/list
androidaddict23 said:
In my experience rooting your could be fun and a nightmare, if not done properly and, you have of time on you're you could become a rom switching addict cyanogen is currently available for the vibrant you can still root, but you will be on stock vibrant rom.till samsung release the source code so no froyo.and the rumor is that they won't release the source code.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cyanogen is not yet available for the Vibrant. It will soon.
Froyo-cooked ROMS are already out for the Vibrant (alas with some bugs) so I don't think there's a reason to think Cyanogen won't be on Froyo.
Also: Never having done a root/rom flash does not make someone stupid or signify they should never try it. It just means they should READ some documentation and be technically up to the challenge before they do. I don't think having a clear guide on most of the process will hurt anyone who is coming into this but doesn't yet know all the details and steps of what to do.
Excelsius said:
Ok, you got an excellent thread there that pretty much answered all my questions! I will root my phone and get back here if I have any more questions, with a cleaned up list. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
glad the root went well for you. I am wanting to root my phone too, but not sure which root method is easiest and best.
Which root method did you use?
I had a mytouch rooted before the Vibrant, but they are way different and I dont want to screw up
s15274n said:
I've already contacted a few people about starting said guide. I have not got much feedback from people willing to help....
^ you've asked a lot man... I can try and answer some, but you need to keep doing some reading. I feel like I've offered up a lot as is.
Just b/c you have root, does not mean you will not receive the OTA updates. If Froyo is released, you can update from the phone, you will lose root though. Most of us, will wait for the developers to have a stock froyo + root that we can flash.
why use telenav? I am not familiar.. just curious why not use google nav?
autostarts, just b/c you have it set to not start an app on boot, does not mean when you click the icon to open it will cause an issue. Really not that big of a deal. If you notice an issue, just set the app back to enabled.
Do not use a task killer.
The thread I linked has plenty of information for what you can remove from the phone, with instructions.... same for the barnacle tether app. If you want, download Wireless Tether, google it... the source code is on google.
http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/downloads/list
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate all your answers. I don't mean to say that anyone else can't answer as well. I am still unclear on several things I asked and would appreciate if someone could chime in, at least about the exact procedures for using autostart and the reasoning behind not using the task killer. I am new to Android, but I am pretty good at computers, including building them. So when I am learning about doing this or that, I would like to know about the reasoning behind that. I am sure that all of the questions I ask here I can find out on my own, but I was hoping that I could utilize the purpose of the forum and learn something from the veterans rather than reinventing the wheel myself.
I am using Telenav because I have a one month free trial. I discovered Google Nav just yesterday. I just want to compare them myself, even though it is unlikely I will pay $10/month in either case. But remember that Telenav is just one of the applications causing issues.
Thanks for all the answers. Please don't feel pressured to answer all the things I might ask. If I don't get enough answers, I'll just do a quick thread search and if that's not fruitful, I'll create a specific thread for autostart usage.
androidaddict23 said:
till samsung release the source code so no froyo.and the rumor is that they won't release the source code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't this illegal? I thought the whole point of Android was opensource and under the GPL License, they are required to post the full source code, right? Or I could just be way off base here.
kboater said:
glad the root went well for you. I am wanting to root my phone too, but not sure which root method is easiest and best.
Which root method did you use?
I had a mytouch rooted before the Vibrant, but they are way different and I dont want to screw up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the first procedure recommended in the sticky: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7150299&postcount=1
I am not sure why it said that you have to restart several times. Here are some clarifications on the steps there that I think were not too clear:
1. When you connect your device, you need to pull down the message area, click on the USB, and only then you will see the option to MOUNT your phone. I had to experiment to figure this out.
2. The guide doesn't say, but if your USB debugging mode is on, I would disable it, just to be safe: Settings (this is that leftmost button on your phone when you're at your desktop)-->Applications-->Development-->USB debugging (uncheck). This might be unnecessary, but I did it just to be safe.
3. When you are copying the Update.zip file into your phone, make sure you check the size of the folder. It must be your internal storage - it will be 12GB+ and will have your system files. If you have trouble identifying this, simply remove your SD card!
4. When you are restarting the phone, make sure you press the volume button in the MIDDLE so that it is entirely pressed (up and down). While holding it, press and hold the power. Do not let go of the volume button until your enter the recovery menu.
Anyway, that's what I did and rooted from the first time without any issues.
t0phux said:
Isn't this illegal? I thought the whole point of Android was opensource and under the GPL License, they are required to post the full source code, right? Or I could just be way off base here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could be that Samsung has modified the code for their own phones making the code their property, while the "regular" 2.2 (unmodified) would be available to everyone. I could be wrong, but I think this how it would work.
Excelsius said:
I used the first procedure recommended in the sticky: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7150299&postcount=1
I am not sure why it said that you have to restart several times. Here are some clarifications on the steps there that I think were not too clear:
1. When you connect your device, you need to pull down the message area, click on the USB, and only then you will see the option to MOUNT your phone. I had to experiment to figure this out.
2. The guide doesn't say, but if your USB debugging mode is on, I would disable it, just to be safe: Settings (this is that leftmost button on your phone when you're at your desktop)-->Applications-->Development-->USB debugging (uncheck). This might be unnecessary, but I did it just to be safe.
3. When you are copying the Update.zip file into your phone, make sure you check the size of the folder. It must be your internal storage - it will be 12GB+ and will have your system files. If you have trouble identifying this, simply remove your SD card!
4. When you are restarting the phone, make sure you press the volume button in the MIDDLE so that it is entirely pressed (up and down). While holding it, press and hold the power. Do not let go of the volume button until your enter the recovery menu.
Anyway, that's what I did and rooted from the first time without any issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks
10 char
Hi there! I'm sure a lot of the frequent Xoom posters know me by now. If you don't, you will see my name a whole lot around these parts of the XDA forums.
Anyways, I am here to put up my second helpful tip for the Xoomers out there. I use this method myself and it works great. I mentioned it a few times in other people's threads, but now I want to turn my info into another helpful tip thread of mine for all to see. Then I'll add it onto my Xoom Heaven thread under my personal threads section.
The Instructions:
Also short, sweet, and to the point, just like my last tip. Does your Xoom seem to wait around at boot up for processes to load before you can use the OS? Would you like to just boot up and go with little to no waiting around? Here's what you'll want to do to achieve that:
Non Root Users: Download the app called Autorun Manager. This app actually has options for both non rooters and rooters alike. The app is free, so I would suggest it for anyone to use.
Root Users: Download the app called Autostarts. This is my favorite app, as it is specifically for the root users only. It is a paid app, but is well worth the little bit of money it costs to purchase it. This gives you complete and full control over every aspect of apps booting up during specific tasks.
The App Downloads:
Autorun Manager
Autostarts
Here's what I said in one of the other threads about the boot time:
"A lot of times, apps will attach themselves to the startup list even though they do not need it, such as a game. Why would you want a game booting up with your Xoom? I wouldn't, that's for sure. It's pointless, takes up memory, and it makes the boot time worse.
For the most part: Wipe out every single one of the startup apps that are not a part of the system, or as many as you need to. If you disable the user startup apps, you will have a more solid boot time no doubt. Almost none of the apps you install will ever need to boot up with your Xoom, unless you want it to. For me, I keep only a select few apps at startup such as: Equalizer, AdFree, and SetCPU. And chances are, if you have a ton of apps... your startup list will be massive, to say the least when you load up the app for the first time."
So basically: Download one of the 2 apps I have listed for you above, and remove any or all of the user installed apps that have placed themselves into your startup list. Only disable apps from the startup list that you know are useless to you, otherwise just leave them enabled if you have a use for them. After doing so, you should notice that when your Xoom boots up that you will be able to start using it immediately. No more waiting around for those useless hidden resources and processes to gather themselves.
If you like my tips, please let me know. I will cook up a few more threads here soon with these same kind of helpful tips if this is what the people want. They will all be available on Xoom Heaven so that they will always be there for everyone to see.
And as always, if this information was helpful to you: Don't forget to send a thanks my way.
thx for ur tip =)
diablo2224 said:
Autostarts:
And as always, if this information was helpful to you: Don't forget to send a thanks my way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I grabbed autostarts paid from the market but which start up list do you use... i noted there was a couple.. during start up or after startup...
during start up i have: calander and contacts storage
after start up i have: A MILLION THINGS lol
joshndroid said:
I grabbed autostarts paid from the market but which start up list do you use... i noted there was a couple.. during start up or after startup...
during start up i have: calander and contacts storage
after start up i have: A MILLION THINGS lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The one with a million things in the after startup list. Good luck!
cheers mate i thought that may be the case but because it was 'after boot' i also thought it may be the necessary stuff that starts once boot had finished
joshndroid said:
cheers mate i thought that may be the case but because it was 'after boot' i also thought it may be the necessary stuff that starts once boot had finished
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's definitely the correct one as the other startup managers list the same exact apps upon startup. You can double check that in the basic mode of Autorun Manager as a cross reference.
I don't notice any difference (using Autorun Manager).
Vistaus said:
I don't notice any difference (using Autorun Manager).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changed thread name to fit appropriate for what it does. You still get a better boot time, just not from the initial dual core logo to lockscreen. Sorry for the confusion. It was late and I confused myself. This tip still works wonders. This tip will help you to get up and go from the lockscreen. Virtually no waiting around for anything to boot up before you can start using the OS. Once your screen comes up, you can start going.
this is exactly what I was looking for, TNX
Definitely be care with this, since it is easy to misunderstand why an app is loaded at boot. For example, you might wonder why an alarm app needs to, where actually it needs to schedule alarms at boot time.
Does anyone know whether it is safe to disable the Mobile Data service on a wifi only tablet? I cannot really see why it should be activated in the first place.
jondwillis said:
Definitely be care with this, since it is easy to misunderstand why an app is loaded at boot. For example, you might wonder why an alarm app needs to, where actually it needs to schedule alarms at boot time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. For the most part though, junk apps will appear in the startup list that have no purpose at all so they can be disabled. If there is a particular app that you know has a purpose for something you use, then by all means let it be. For example: I leave SetCPU on the startup list so that I can keep my settings on both the clock speed and undervoltage values just so I won't manually have to activate it later.
Theme Ishere said:
Does anyone know whether it is safe to disable the Mobile Data service on a wifi only tablet? I cannot really see why it should be activated in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did this on my 3G Xoom, which is not activated, and there is nothing to worry about. No problems at all. If you don't use mobile data at all ever... I say disable it from the startup list just as I have, especially since it's the Wifi model.
I believe that by using Tasker, we can set up multiple task executions ata set time or situation. I haven't tried it myself but I'm planning to now. I just need some info on how to make it work. Most importantly, if it can do THIS:
LEGEND:
A = An App
B = Titanium Backup
C = Another app
IF - LAUNCH - A - THEN - LAUNCH - B - COMMAND - B - FREEZE - C.
In simple terms, is it possible to have Tasker run Titanium Backup and freeze an app whenever a designated app is launched? Basically, launching a specified app will 'trigger' Titanium Backup to be launched and freeze another app.
I hope I'm not confusing anyone.
Thanks, XDA! I'm so proud to be a part of this community.
It looks like you might be able to. I'm unfamiliar with tasker... But the dev does have something of a user manual on the site. You may want to start there.
http://tasker.dinglisch.net/userguide/en/index.html
Tried tinkering around. Couldn't get anywhere with this. Is there an existing guide somewhere in these forums that I might have missed? Can anyone please point me at the right direction? :'(
Well, I'm fairly new to Tasker myself, but there's no easy "tap, tap, scroll, tap, done" way to do it as far as I can tell. Post #3 here gives a suggested way forward (same question as yours only with a time context instead of an app) but it is quite technical and certainly beyond my understanding at this point.
Otherwise you could ask on the Tasker forum. The developer seems to answer most threads, even if only to say something's not possible.
Can I ask why you need to freeze an app on the fly like that? Maybe if you explain it a little, there could be a workaround.
selection16 said:
Well, I'm fairly new to Tasker myself, but there's no easy "tap, tap, scroll, tap, done" way to do it as far as I can tell. Post #3 here gives a suggested way forward (same question as yours only with a time context instead of an app) but it is quite technical and certainly beyond my understanding at this point.
Otherwise you could ask on the Tasker forum. The developer seems to answer most threads, even if only to say something's not possible.
Can I ask why you need to freeze an app on the fly like that? Maybe if you explain it a little, there could be a workaround.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I found out that one of my apps doesn't work when the other app is installed or active. I really liked the app in question, so I made an experiment to freeze all apps until I found the culprit. I did found it. That's why I'm trying to check if it can be achieved.
Have you tried just killing the app?
Context: Application > App A
Task: App > Kill App > App C (and most likely check "Use Root")
You may want to add an exit task to restart App C after you're done with App A.
If it works, that would stop it running in the background. The problem is that Android 2.2 and upwards have changes to stop an app being able to kill another app. It's inconsistent though - I've tested it on about 6 apps and it has worked on 2, so it's maybe worth a shot if you haven't tried.
If you or anyone else is still interested, this is easy to do. Just use the Secure Settings plugin, specifically it's Package Manager option, and disable or enable to have the same effect as freeze/unfreeze. TB isn't required.
selection16 said:
If you or anyone else is still interested, this is easy to do. Just use the Secure Settings plugin, specifically it's Package Manager option, and disable or enable to have the same effect as freeze/unfreeze. TB isn't required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much!!!
I downloaded the sample tasker app that expires in 7 days from their website and installed it. I can run tasker, enter code and save, and the icon shows it as running when I quit out to test my code. I can't get anything to work using code examples from the wiki for simple items such as action at preset time. I am running CyanogenMod 7.2.0 is this causing my problem?
The question is more along the lines of what's the benefit of installing a custom rom? or rooting the device. I'm an iphone user right now, but i've been following this forum and reading posts cause I definitely wanted to buy an android and this is the one im getting. I was gonna get the GS3 and I understand why you would wanna install a custom rom on a GS3 (to get rid of touchwiz and have stock android) but what's the benefit of having a custom rom on an already stock android cellphone like Nexus 4 or Galaxy Nexus. :fingers-crossed:
Options and more control over the phone. Ability to over clock/under clock.
Titanium Backup, Light Flow, ES File Explorer, Ad Block... a few other awesome apps that need root to work..
This question is hardly specific to the N4. But a quick Google search will yield you lots of reasons and/or benefits if you will.
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Customizability. You can make the phone fully yours, have it run how you want it to run, to include faster or more efficiently. In theory, anyone can learn to dev and make exactly what they want their phone to be. Though in practice we usually just settle for whichever devs' preferences match our own, and are extremely thankful that somebody made it happen.
Consider my sister's phone, actually a nexus S, unrooted. I'm on a galaxy S and I'm running the 4.2 camera and keyboard. I showed those to her and she was so stoked, but she refuses to root, so I can't install them on her phone.
There is considerably less reason to root with such a device as this, but you do need root access to install some really cool and useful apps, especially Ti Backup as mentioned above. Don't forget that rooting is nothing like jailbreaking, as the latter is way more intrusive, that is, jailbreaking can indeed potentially render the iphone less stable. However, root access is simply elevated rights to the ROM (system) partition. But, you don't really need it. Just enjoy the phone and don't sweat the need for it.
Indeed. I think people equate rooting to jailbreaking but it's very different. Even with root access, apps need permission from you to run at root level. The first time you run them a message will ask you if you want to grant them permission (you can then tick an 'always allow' box for that app). If anything nasty tries to run at root level you will be prompted about it and if you aren't expecting it, you can just deny it.
I have rooted every android device I've owned, mainly for apps like Titanium Backup, AdFree, Game Guardian but also for customisations like different status bars or modded system apps.
You don't NEED to root, Android is more open than iOS out of the box. For example you can have different keyboards, messaging apps, diallers, alarms, calendars, navigation etc without needing root.
Basically gaining full access to the system. Some "programs" require modifying/accessing the system stuff. The best root app I think of is Tasker, which allows you to create almost any scenario to associate with an action. For example, disable sync between 12am to 7am, also mute all notifications. Also, if you open Maps/Navigation/tracking applications, automatically turn on GPS and turn off GPS when you exit. Also, when I plug in earphone ask to open either Phone app or Google Music. Also search for wifi ssid, if it matches my school's wifi, then connect to wifi and turn the phone to vibration. When leaving school turn off wifi and turn on ringtones. If ssid matches home's ssid, then disable lockscreen, turn on ringtone and connect to my home wifi. All of those require root access.
It's the same as the root access as in any other Linux system. Think Administrator privilege on Windows. However, it does come with some risk of others accessing your information/password. But as others have said, be careful about which app you grant root access. I only grant root access to those well-trusted apps.
coming from an iPhone, you wont really need root access. you can still do much more than iOS without root. I don't think you should also be getting into customization and stuff as a new android user, as the Nexus 4 is already stock android. Just enjoy the stock experience and you can root later once you have more knowledge of android and want to start doing more complex tasks.
AdFree and DroidWall. Along with many other things like flashing ROMs.
jsapp said:
AdFree and DroidWall. Along with many other things like flashing ROMs.
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AdAway ftw
Hi
I would like to disable my finger print lock and enable pattern lock from midnight till morning. I want this to happen automatically. I use s7 edge. Can someone help me do this.
Divorce?
I don't know if that is possible. The easiest way I know to accomplish what you are asking would be for you to restart your phone as you are going to bed and not unlocking it until you get up in the morning. The first time you unlock the phone it won't allow you to use your fingerprint, only your alternate method.
Outbreak444 said:
I don't know if that is possible. The easiest way I know to accomplish what you are asking would be for you to restart your phone as you are going to bed and not unlocking it until you get up in the morning. The first time you unlock the phone it won't allow you to use your fingerprint, only your alternate method.
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Yeah. U r right. But its easy to forget. So need an automated thing.
Try Tasker from the app store. There's so much you can customize from using that app. I don't use it nor do I know how to set it up but I have read a lot about it and know a lot of people would recommend that.
Where can I find help for tasker programming..
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A phone is like a PC. And always been rebooting for optimized performance.
So what did Samsung do, They added in a feature for sceduled restarts.
This my friend sounds like your perfect option, set the phone to reboot every day before you go to sleep. And to unlock the device you are required to input the pin on first boot.
Settings -> Backup and Reset -> Auto Restart
Other than this, i would be suggesting something like Tasker that has alot of control in Automating tasks like MAYBE changing your Login method.
But i would imagine a change of this level requires a user input (Or it would be security concern)
If this is not a good enough option for you, PM me, Tell me what and why you are doing it. And i can come up with a few different solutions.
I have a guess to why you are doing what you are doing, but i aint explaining multiple possibility's on a hunch.
i.e. i have application hide from my App Drawer and require a password to open them.
as an additional safety method. am always passing my phone around and people cannot help but open up your apps like Snapchat. So yes HIDDEN from all.
Tasker will require the Secure Settings plug-in (paid version) and root access to be able to change pattern lock settings.