Database Users

What are the PROS and CONS of rooting a Nexus

The Nexus 4 is my first Nexus device, and people are saying to root and unlock bootloaders and all that.
Why should you root a nexus device? I'm not planning on putting any custom Roms because the stock ROM already pleases me enough.
If you rooted your device, why did you do it? I don't know if I should take the plunge, because I'm perfectly happy ATM with it not rooted.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

If you're happy without root and you don't know what root does, then don't root. It's for people wanting more out of their phone than is possible with stock

jacklebott said:
If you're happy without root and you don't know what root does, then don't root. It's for people wanting more out of their phone than is possible with stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is I know what root is and does, but does it make sense with a pure Google nexus phone? I just need the pros. Don't get me wrong, I want to make the jump but idk why I should
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

I would do it to be able to use the programs that require super user. Titanium Backup for example, if I want to restore my games.
Don't do if you are not sure what are you going to do with that.
EDIT: "idk why I should", maybe then it's not completely true "The thing is I know what root is and does". In my case I would first get very well informed (I don't want to break my phone), and then proceed. Just in case that someday I need an app with superuser permissions. And unlocking the bootloader first of all, I don't want to lose everything the day I decide to do it.
PD: I must wait 5 minutes, maybe my edit looks odd by then

I've always at minimum unlocked the bootloader, even if I don't plan on taking it much further. Reason being is the forced wipe when/if you do decide to later.
Phil

If I unlock and root it. Will it be easy to restore, so I have warranty and can send it back to Google?
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda premium

timvdlinde said:
If I unlock and root it. Will it be easy to restore, so I have warranty and can send it back to Google?
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, just lock it the same way you unlocked it "fastboot oem lock" after flashing stock 4.2 from https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images#occam

Dude, no offense but how may threads are you gonna start basically asking the same question? Everything you're asking is in the stickies in each of these sections. Read the stickies first, completely.
Muffin approved this message.....

If we are talking just plain rooting... I mainly do that to install adfree android, as well as allowing tasker access to higher level settings, and allowing me to access protected files (I recently replaced my default browser with one that I made some modifications in the code). I also use of titanium backup, but lately I haven't had need for it.... but its nice to have

Pro:
AD BLOCK - This is the most important reason for me, and the reason I use to convince friends who just don't know computers stuff, let alone android.
Back Up - The ability to completely back up the phone is just golden. I think I don't have to explain why backing up is important, or why you might want to back up your contacts, text message, saved games, etc. all at the same time instead of doing each of them individually.
Yes, there is a cloud. But do you totally trust the sync service and cloud's server?
Cons:
Rooting voids warranties - But you can unroot and relock the bootloader later.
Not getting OTA - You can always sideload it. All it takes is a few command line on the computer and a few touch on your device.
Edit: I was wrong about the not getting OTA part. But, still, you can always sideload OTA if you can't get OTA.
Needless to say, I root every single of my Android phone a few hours after I get them.

KyraOfFire said:
Pro:
AD BLOCK - This is the most important reason for me, and the reason I use to convince friends who just don't know computers stuff, let alone android.
Back Up - The ability to completely back up the phone is just golden. I think I don't have to explain why backing up is important, or why you might want to back up your contacts, text message, saved games, etc. all at the same time instead of doing each of them individually.
Yes, there is a cloud. But do you totally trust the sync service and cloud's server?
Cons:
Rooting voids warranties - But you can unroot and relock the bootloader later.
Not getting OTA - You can always sideload it. All it takes is a few command line on the computer and a few touch on your device.
Needless to say, I root every single of my Android phone a few hours after I get them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if i root i won't be able to get the ota update, wow thats pretty lame, I know there is an app to keep the root.

KyraOfFire said:
Cons:
Not getting OTA - You can always sideload it. All it takes is a few command line on the computer and a few touch on your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong. My phone is rooted ( running stock rom ) and I received OTA update.

You only don't get OTA with root if you modify/delete certain system files (such as apps)

Just rooted
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Help with switching from iPhone to Nexus 4 Android

Hey guys,
I just currently purchased a Nexus 4 android phone. The thing is that i've had an iphone for a very long time, the current one im using is iphone 4S which im going to get rid of for when this nexus 4. i never used an android before so if you guys can help me with the tips tricks or guides on how to use it.
I know on ios there is jailbreak and there is cydia and installous. Is it similar to android? do they have those things too? If so can someone instruct me on how to perform these tasks?
Thanks so much!

Unlock your boatloader and then root it. It'll give you more freedom and some great apps that require to have "root"
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

You can root an android device which is much like a jailbreak for an iOS device. However, most of the things you need a jailbreak for on iOS, can be done without rooting.
If you would like to know how to root your phone, take a look at the original development section, there are many guides and tutorials for this sort of thing

Take a look at this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=34769183
It contains pretty much everything you need to know in order to root (essentially the same as jailbreak) your device.

OP, welcome to Android!
Understand that any transition will be difficult. There are things that iOS can do, or do better than, Android. The reverse is also true. Be prepared for change and you'll be OK.

joshtrader said:
Hey guys,
I just currently purchased a Nexus 4 android phone. The thing is that i've had an iphone for a very long time, the current one im using is iphone 4S which im going to get rid of for when this nexus 4. i never used an android before so if you guys can help me with the tips tricks or guides on how to use it.
I know on ios there is jailbreak and there is cydia and installous. Is it similar to android? do they have those things too? If so can someone instruct me on how to perform these tasks?
Thanks so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey IMHO, there is no need to "jailbreak" on android, as its not locked down like iphones. Especially the nexus 4. I would suggest you skip rooting and unlocking your bootloader* for now.
Since its your first android device, enjoy and learn it as is.
*thing about unlocking your bootloader, it resets your phone and you lose all your data, and customizations, so its something to consider doing at the onset. Not a big deal, your contacts and apps can be easily restored/ reinstalled.
Root is just giving yourself administrative permissions/ access to your own phone /os. Once you learn using your phone you can decide if there are any features you need access to that require root. But if you do this at the start and fiddle with your phone you will not know if its the phone acting up or something you caused.. You can accidently delete, move or change something that can potentially render your phone useless and unbootable. Also malicious apps would have access to do the same ( there arent many though, youll most likely kill it by your own hehe).

joshtrader said:
Hey guys,
I just currently purchased a Nexus 4 android phone. The thing is that i've had an iphone for a very long time, the current one im using is iphone 4S which im going to get rid of for when this nexus 4. i never used an android before so if you guys can help me with the tips tricks or guides on how to use it.
I know on ios there is jailbreak and there is cydia and installous. Is it similar to android? do they have those things too? If so can someone instruct me on how to perform these tasks?
Thanks so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to android buddy!
As a mulit-platform kinda guy, it is simply great to have both OSs.
1. No, android doesn't not have anything like cydia or installous. (Btw, installous is gone. Hackulous abandoned the project)
2. On android the equivalent to jailbreak is call root, rooting and rooted.
3. How do you obtain root access? Head over to the correct android development thread and find "how to root xx device"
Follow the guide below on how to use the toolkit to root. (This toolkit is the same for the nexus 4. Don't worry about it even though its in the nexus 7 forum)
The toolkit is an easy way to gain root access similar to redsn0w or any popular jailbreak tether or untethered method.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1766475
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

thanks guys, but i have a question, does rooting and unlocking bootloader open the phone up to any insecurity or possible virus hacks? since i heard android phones have a lot of viruses and exploits so i wanted to make sure before i proceed.
so in terms, rooting means gaining full administration and what does bootloader do?

joshtrader said:
thanks guys, but i have a question, does rooting and unlocking bootloader open the phone up to any insecurity or possible virus hacks? since i heard android phones have a lot of viruses and exploits so i wanted to make sure before i proceed.
so in terms, rooting means gaining full administration and what does bootloader do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no. only viruses you'd get are if you sideload APKs from third-party websites/app markets, so don't sideload apks from random websites.
rooting: allows you to do changes outside of /sdcard/
bootloader: allows you to change recovery/bootloader/radio via fastboot mode.
recovery mode allows you to flash stuff to your phone (to obtain root, flash custom rom, flash custom kernel, flash custom recovery, flash radio, etc)
press thanks button to those who helped you

joshtrader said:
thanks guys, but i have a question, does rooting and unlocking bootloader open the phone up to any insecurity or possible virus hacks? since i heard android phones have a lot of viruses and exploits so i wanted to make sure before i proceed.
so in terms, rooting means gaining full administration and what does bootloader do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only people who get viruses are stupid people who try to pirate apps or install apps from sources other than the official play store. Stick with Google Play and don't pirate crap and you have nothing to worry about
Also, pretty much everything that you needed to jailbreak an iphone to do, can be done on bone stock android without needing to root or unlock the bootloader.

No cydia since you can sideload apps.
I've seen a few apps like installous but none that I've stuck with.
Root is useful since it allows you to use apps like titanium backup, tasker and adaway.
The N4 should be an easy transition from 4S, it's certainly the first android phone I've used in 3yrs that I feel compares to its equivalent ios counterpart.

thanks all
also i was wondering is there any kind of program or official program for nexus 4 like itunes?
for my iphone, i just plug it in and hit sync and it does evrything for me like backing up and syncing music and apps

joshtrader said:
thanks all
also i was wondering is there any kind of program or official program for nexus 4 like itunes?
for my iphone, i just plug it in and hit sync and it does evrything for me like backing up and syncing music and apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use Google Music on your computer and sync music to your nexus 4. But you really don't need a media manager like iTunes to sync media to your device. Just load them up on the device and play!

scream4cheese said:
You can use Google Music on your computer and sync music to your nexus 4. But you really don't need a media manager like iTunes to sync media to your device. Just load them up on the device and play!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and how about backup? how can i backup everything on the phone?

joshtrader said:
and how about backup? how can i backup everything on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's where rooting comes to play. Titanium backup is the best but requires root.
And nand backup will backup the phone as is but you have to root it. Nand is in recover mode after you root.

joshtrader said:
thanks all
also i was wondering is there any kind of program or official program for nexus 4 like itunes?
for my iphone, i just plug it in and hit sync and it does evrything for me like backing up and syncing music and apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Music on Android sucks. I can't wait until Microsoft finishes the Xbox Music software for Android and iOS in another couple of months. You can get close to the same functionality, with a crap music player, using Play Music.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Blakmagic said:
That's where rooting comes to play. Titanium backup is the best but requires root.
And nand backup will backup the phone as is but you have to root it. Nand is in recover mode after you root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you can backup in stock recovery without root but I'm not 100% sure. For app backups, you can use carbon. No root required, but you'll have to download an accompanying app on your computer. You can do it all on device with root however.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Root or not to root

I'm no computer whiz so what are the advantages of rooting this phone as it seems plenty fast as is.

Well, with rooting, it's pretty much like being the Admin of your computer. So for starters, you have control over many more phone functions, especially when it comes to something like tethering. There are more apps and themes and ROMs available for you to use, which will cut down on battery usage, give you a better looking set of themes, and allow you to overclock not only your processor but also your GPU.
It's definitely something that isn't terribly essential, but it does make the phone more.....yours, so to speak.

Looks like I'm rooting and is there a way to unroot in case you need to send it back to Sprint so restoring to factory settings.

Yea you can flash back to stock and they'll never even know you had it rooted or had a custom rom
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

Yup, unrooting is easy. Here's one such app that allows you to temporarily unroot or unroot completely: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.projectvoodoo.otarootkeeper&hl=en
There's several other apps like this and a lot of guides on how to do it.

3 main reasons why I root all my devices:
1. Add app data backup (mainly games) to my new device
2. Tether
3. Flash custom roms

Root.
As previously stated, more performance, battery gains, and free tethering are only a few of the advantages....
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2

Curious about the bootloader and S-OFF unlocking possibilities on each carrier... Anyone know any info?

it is necessary
you can be the admin of your phone. you control it , not the phone control you.

Besides all the reasons some folks have mentioned, I also root to use ad-blockers..
So I do not have to put up with ads is some apps.

Hoggles said:
Curious about the bootloader and S-OFF unlocking possibilities on each carrier... Anyone know any info?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung devices doesn't have "S OFF". It's only htc devices. Bootloader maybe locked, depending on your carrier
Sent from my supercharged :tank:

Well I want root asap on mine, going to have to uninstall all those S-lag apps Samsung added. Ones no one really needs and jsut slow the phone down. S heath and S Apps etc

The main reasons I'm going to root ASAP are because I want to enable an ad-blocker, wifi tether, restore some apps and disable some of the bloatware on the AT&T model. I'm going to try and stick with the stock ROM at least for a couple months. I've been using AOKP for a good 6 months on the GS3, it will be a nice change to go back to Touchwiz for a bit. (hopefully)

I will also be rooting mine as soon as I get it, so that I can restore everything from my s3 to it. I won't worry about custom roms for this phone for a while, although I'm sure that thread will explode in a few weeks.

I think I am leaving this one stocks for once. At least for a little while
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

root because there will be massive amounts of mods available. i know because i'll be working on quite a few
cheers!

I'm starting to think I'll get my 9500 this week and there won't be root for it. If I can't restore with Ti then it will sit in the box for a bit.

Sarcron said:
Yup, unrooting is easy. Here's one such app that allows you to temporarily unroot or unroot completely: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.projectvoodoo.otarootkeeper&hl=en
There's several other apps like this and a lot of guides on how to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Must be rooted in order to use OTA RootKeeper from Play!
This application makes a backup or a protected backup of your device's root.
This device must already be rooted: OTA RootKeeper doesn't have the ability to root devices.
Link to thread from Chainfire about getting i9505 root
---------- Post added at 07:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:06 PM ----------
AmesCell said:
I'm starting to think I'll get my 9500 this week and there won't be root for it. If I can't restore with Ti then it will sit in the box for a bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"sit in the box for a bit" ... like 2-3 minutes :laugh:

Mine may as well be shipped prerooted. I'm going to make sure my 'life companion' will really be my life companion lol.

I have decided to root if nothing else so I can tether. I also like to change the boot animation and shutdown animation. Looks like I'll be doing a lot of learning from you XDA guys.

[BOUNTY]-Kingroot-Without Data Connection- Who's in

I propose we create a Bounty for the Keys to Kingroot without a data connection that is not lost until we manually reboot. . I will start it off with a $100 pledge. Instead of calling it temporary root, I would call it Root On Demand. It some ways it is actually better than permanent root. I don't think we will ever find permanent root for the N900V unless we get a leak from Samsung.
All you have to do is reverse engineer the root that the Kingroot team has already found. It must be a simple process that is really easily adaptable to a wide variety of Android Smart-Phones, Otherwise they would sell the Application for individual use. The only reason I can think of that would make it unprofitable is that once the secret gets out anyone could do it.
We need a scientific investigation to discovers what changes are being made to the phone to attain root. It is possible to use Kingroot without even setting up a email account. If you have the apps you want to run backed up.
I would think the Kinroot root is being stored as a image file in RAM because the ROM is write protected and root is lost with a hard boot.
Root is also lost when a app first ask for root privileges. So it could be that the Kingroot root fix has to be rewritten into RAM as a bundle for each application that is added. Kingroot has to dump the last file to write a new bundle file or maybe it has to remount the system. I have found that Titanium Backup is able to put applications back on Kingroots' Root Authorization list after a factory restore, but Titanium Backup can not install the Kingroot root because the phone need to be rooted with Kingroot to run Titanium Backup. I know it's confusing. Anybody got any clues as to how it works would be appreciated.

I'm probably going to get banned for this but..... shut the edited up dude. I'm tired of your pointless posts

mcdevitt1985 said:
I'm probably going to get banned for this but..... shut the edited up dude. I'm tired of your pointless posts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah...I would never. How about this...
In the words of Captain America: "Language!"
:good:

@doctor-cool the guy posting above me kind of has a point. It is obvious you know little about the rooting industry and methods. There is no such thing as "simply reverse engineer" processes in Android. Also no bounty would be worth it to someone like these guys. Permanent root is worth well over $100K in the private sector to specific industries. As for the reason for the data connection, Kingroot supports 1000's of models of phones and needs a specific process for certain ones, so they check which model phone you have then pull the needed files from their server and attempt root. By keeping everything on their servers they can improve the existing files and add new support when it comes about. The first company that we saw do this Kingo Root explained that it takes GBs of files to support the root method so it is impossible to package it into a reasonable size file.
Another thing to think about...if it was that easy to reverse engineer something, don't you think there would have been all kinds of copies of Chainfire's root methods and SuperSu floating around?
The exploit used was released at blackhat. Those working on the permanent root solution are doing so for sales to the private industries I mentioned. When that money is exhausted maybe some altruistic root developer will release it publicly.
So no one will get you "the keys"

It's all about the money. Why let real developers have any fun when your can make tons of money in the other sectors..... I think I'm going to just sell my Note 4, and go with something that's REALLY developer friendly, a Motorola Nexus 6. It has the BEST support of any phone I've ever seen, plus it's bootloader unlocked!

chevycam94 said:
It's all about the money. Why let real developers have any fun when your can make tons of money in the other sectors..... I think I'm going to just sell my Note 4, and go with something that's REALLY developer friendly, a Motorola Nexus 6. It has the BEST support of any phone I've ever seen, plus it's bootloader unlocked!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Moto x as well hopefully mine gets delivered at end if this week. No more ever Samsung phone
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

patt2k said:
Moto x as well hopefully mine gets delivered at end if this week. No more ever Samsung phone
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good bye Samsung, 'hello-moto"
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Free mobile app

Don't get me wrong, the Note 4 is sweet. But from a developer standpoint, it's useless. I actually use the S-Pen on a regular basis.

The OP has a good point in that it would be nice not having to contact Chinese servers and waste data each time you had to re-root.

What do you miss most about having root?

Hello all,
My Lg G4 experienced a dreaded boot loop because of overheating and Sprint decided it was best to give me the Lg G5 instead. The "upgrade" bothers me because there is no root yet for this phone, making it the first time I'll be without root access.
Root is indispensable namely for full, proper backups (Titanium Backup) and WiFi hotspot/tethering. I do not use the latter every day but it is indispensable for me.
Other aspects include Xposed (some tweaks are impossible even with separate apps), moving photos and videos to SD card, and some programs such as SoundAbout.
Formerly rooted users - how has life been for you without root? What apps do you miss, and how did you get around them?

I don't even know where to start. I've been using Android since the HTC Evo, and pretty much had a new Android phone every year...ALL rooted.
I basically, mostly miss all the things you mentioned though, such as titanium backup, and wifi tethering. Also used rom toolbox and other apps to make small tweeks as far as performance upgrades and visual preferences.
But the thing i might possibly miss the most, is the ability to BLOCK ADS!! Omg i didn't realize how much i despised seeing ads in my apps until i couldn't use root. I love this phone itself, but without root, Im pretty sure I'm going to be getting the Google Pixel soon. Nexus phones are usually rooted fairly easily and the phone itself is great also.
Sent from my LGLS992 using XDA-Developers mobile app

mistermidas said:
But the thing i might possibly miss the most, is the ability to BLOCK ADS!! Omg i didn't realize how much i despised seeing ads in my apps until i couldn't use root. I love this phone itself, but without root, Im pretty sure I'm going to be getting the Google Pixel soon. Nexus phones are usually rooted fairly easily and the phone itself is great also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do that without root. Check out Adgaurd and or Adclear.
I use Adgaurd paid myself.

geeksmurf said:
You can do that without root. Check out Adgaurd and or Adclear.
I use Adgaurd paid myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I've used adguard but it messes up my connection. It will stop my downloads and in general makes everything slow as hell. With root I can just put a hosts file in my etc folder and actually seems to speed up my connection.
Sent from my LGLS992 using XDA-Developers mobile app

i miss putting on a half baked CM rom that degrades photo quality, breaks core features of the phone and generally sucks just so i can say i rooted my phone.
/s
only thing I really miss is hot spot usage.
oh and the ability to fix this f*cking wakelock that won't go away and I can't trace without root.

This thread makes me sad inside because my buddy on T-Mobile just flashed cm and is making me jealous and angry that I bought this phone without doing research first. Lol.
I miss all the root and fun of trying new roms

Hotspot, hands down. Ad blocking (including YouTube ads) is 2nd.

AdBlock, unbloating, and the greatest thing I miss, viper4android.

How on Earth do I get rid of Sprint's visual voicemail? Before I just got rid of the program in Titanium Backup, either by uninstalling it or freezing it. Same with a bunch of other programs I can't get rid of
Even something as simple as getting rid of some notifications in the menu area - impossible without root.

I miss orbot,as for adblockers I use adguard,its the best I've used,paid or free. The thing I miss most is AOSP Roms

I would have to say it would be being able to delete unwanted apps, change my battery icon, take out ads on you tube and apps, being able to do full backups of my phone, and tethering my phone with wifi.

Everything... I hate this phone. I had all my tasker tasks, and all my games backed up on titanium backup. I want vanilla Android back. I want my foxfi back. I just want to be able to use my phone without stipulations. I will never buy another LG again. I'm going back to HTC.
Sent from my LGLS992 using XDA-Developers mobile app

You can remove ads in youtube using no root data firewall and using an adblock dns for that firewall so it uses that dns. Dont know why android blocks ability to set dns on mobile argh
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jianjia.firewall&hl=en
https://alternate-dns.com/ 198.101.242.72 and 23.253.163.53 as your DNS server
WHAT I MISS MOST:
Stop these stupid programs from having ability to autorun in background. With root on my amazon tablet, I can remove those handlers. I wonder if this can be done through adb?