Database Users

Finally Got My G1, Should I Root?

Well I finally got my G1 and dont have to use my Wing anymore. I got the unlimited G1 plan so im all set with that. Ive been lookin on the Development forums about rooting, and everything, but is it really worth it? There seems like theres alot I gotta do, and everything is getting updated fast, should I root my G1?

no, you should hack your Wing, now that you dont "need" it. Or go root, it just requires a little reading and some understanding of what you read. I am a noobenstein with android but I got it to work and have a few themes installed. The only thing you might not like is that OTA (over the air) updates wont work, so if they release cupcake wyou will prolly be waiting for it from here.

I have modded my Wing, but im going to get rid of it. That is my main concern with Rooting my G1, is the OTA updates

If you have no interest in themes or development theres no point in getting root and voiding the warranty. I would just play with the phone for a while and get used to it and then later decide whether here or not you want to root it.

you say you are concerned about OTA updates. What exactly are you concerned about?

rsfaze said:
you say you are concerned about OTA updates. What exactly are you concerned about?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question, but what I will be concerned about will depend on what is updated ota, but im sure what I use on my rooted G1 will be bettr than what is updated ota.

Ya rooting is easy. As I remember you from the Herald forums. Also with a rooted phone you can install a Jesus Freak Modded version of OTA updates. Finally as said before when an OTA update comes out Tmo-GooG don't just drop it on every market they "roll it out" so chances are you can probably get it here and flashed well before your "market area" is pushing the updates on to the G1s

diabolical28 said:
...of OTA updates. Finally as said before when an OTA update comes out Tmo-GooG don't just drop it on every market they "roll it out" so chances are you can probably get it here and flashed well before your "market area" is pushing the updates on to the G1s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a big plus to me

I was undecided too - here's what swung it -
1 - Task Manager for root - this app in the market allows you to actually close apps that are running constantly in the background - it saves a LOT of battery and (to me it seems) makes the stuff you do run after a lot faster. Not to be confused with Power Manager, which can change display settings and stuff, but can't close any apps down.
2 - You can move the Market Cache (which grows like a mo fo) and the Browser Cache (Again with the growing) to your SD card quite easily using the terminal thingy. (Plus other Caches, but those are the two that made most difference for me )
I'm a total noob to Android and linux, but if you follow the clear instructions on here, it doesn't seem that hard and mostly is salvagable - Nothing too scary that can't be recovered from.
Daisy xxx

Current Benefits of Root
1. Multi-Touch Browser - Ipod like pinch/unpinch to zoom
2. Recovery from Bootloader (Think of it kind of like Windows F8 Safe mode)
3. Back-up from boot loader
4. Use of Task Manager (Root Only) - Shut Down Apps
5. Auto Rotate
6. Themes (Currently maybe 10-15 Themes, Check 'em out)
7. Cache to SD Card (Saves alot of Phone memory for application use)
8. Install to SD Card (Better than just cache-ing) Cons: little more tricky than cache-ing to SD Card, but not much, if you have gotten this far, then you can do it.
9. Install Debian (For true hacks that know how to use Linux)
10. Mod your Start up screens.
All of these things are just for starters. The Cupcake, IF and WHEN it comes out, will surely be hacked (Probably faster than you will get it over the air). All these things will likely be added or improved upon in future updates.
I definitely recommend thoroughly reading these forums, and then start small.
Good luck on your decision.

Ok, ive been convinced, looks like I will root my G1. But it seems like there are different ways to do it? What are the differences with these ways?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=442480
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=443797
http://www.webnetta.com/2009/01/02/t-mobile-g1-rc30-to-jfv13/
Also would I need to Hard SPL?

Ways to do it.
Basically all of the "ways" are the same. The differences are just whether your a Windows/Linux/Mac user.
You can Push stuff to your phone using USB. Its much like using the command line in DOS (C Prompt C:\). I prefer to just copy the files over and use the Astro Application (Available on Market). It lets you use the file system like Windows Explorer. You can copy and paste back and forth. The push sytem is a little safer to start in case you have any problems, but if you follow instructions exactly it shouldn't be a problem. There are even Video Tutorials and if you have any questions there is always someone here that can help.
As for HardSPL, yes you will end up with a SPL which is either Hard SPL RC30 ver. 1.41 Mod (Recommended version) , or Engineering MOD which is the version on the DEV phone, or the G1 Original SPL. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=455860
Basically its like this, you will revert back to the original RC29 Software version where the Root Loophole was before T-Mobile Closed it. Using Dreamng.ing you will then download Terminal Emulator from the Market. Type in Telnetd, you will then have Root. Then you will upgrade to JF ver. 1.41, No need to go through 1.31. Then you will be at the most recent Mod update.
From there you can just browse this website for all the tips and tricks associated with a rooted G1.
Hope this helps for starters.

Video for Moding.
http://androidcommunity.com/forums/f28/video-on-how-to-mod-jailbreak-get-root-from-g1-11598/

It sounds like you know what you're doing, but I'll offer my advice. Previous to the Android I'd flashed roms to a few WinMo devices. The first time is always the most nerve racking, but after that you see how easy it is and it's addictive.
Before I rooted and went to JF's 1.41 firmware I read all the modding threads that had instructions.. they're all pretty much the same thing, just said different ways. I wound up using the ones found here:
http://android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=Quick_Root (skip to "Downgrade to RC29")
Just make sure you have everything downloaded beforehand.
The only snag I ran into was that I couldn't get from RC29 to JFv1.41 the first few times, I kept getting a error saying that a file wasn't found in the update.zip file. Once I installed HardSPL this went away and everything has been peachy since.
The main reasons why I wanted root was custom boot splash screens and the Root Task Manager. Enabling auto-rotation is cool, but I find it anoying sometimes when viewing the device when I'm laying on my bed (it constantly switching on me!)

Thanks for all the help everyone, I read that I had to upgrade to JF v1.31 before going to JF v1.41 otherwise I will need to wipe, what will wiping do? Im guessing delete everything?

AsaSpades said:
Thanks for all the help everyone, I read that I had to upgrade to JF v1.31 before going to JF v1.41 otherwise I will need to wipe, what will wiping do? Im guessing delete everything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it will get rid of your apps and data... however, there's an app in the market called MyBackup. The icon is a flotation ring. If you really don't want to re-install your apps you can use it to back everything up --- but really it's not THAT much of a hassle to install apps as you want to use them. I used it to back up my contacts, home screen icons, my bookmarks and my SMS messages.
A few things to remember about MyBackup:
If you restore your homescreen icons before you install the corresponding programs, you'll have a bunch of broken icons ... not earth shatter, but you'll be all "uhg, ****" afterwards.
Do not restore your google contacts using MyBackup. You will get duplicates on your phone that will then get passed on to your google account. If you do this (don't do this, trust me) do not remove the dupes using the phone -- remove them via google on the website itself. If you use the phone to do it you will no longer be able to sync contacts and you'll have to wipe all over again to fix it. It's much easier to just sycn your contacts to google anyway.

nolageek said:
Yes, it will get rid of your apps and data... however, there's an app in the market called MyBackup. The icon is a flotation ring. If you really don't want to re-install your apps you can use it to back everything up --- but really it's not THAT much of a hassle to install apps as you want to use them. I used it to back up my contacts, home screen icons, my bookmarks and my SMS messages.
A few things to remember about MyBackup:
If you restore your homescreen icons before you install the corresponding programs, you'll have a bunch of broken icons ... not earth shatter, but you'll be all "uhg, ****" afterwards.
Do not restore your google contacts using MyBackup. You will get duplicates on your phone that will then get passed on to your google account. If you do this (don't do this, trust me) do not remove the dupes using the phone -- remove them via google on the website itself. If you use the phone to do it you will no longer be able to sync contacts and you'll have to wipe all over again to fix it. It's much easier to just sycn your contacts to google anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, ill get to it now.

Can also use mybackup to backup system settings which is a time saver as well. Take your time on root steps and download everything before you get going. As far as root goes i wouldnt hesitate, you can always go back if needed.

Thanks every1, I have successfully rooted my G1, with no errors at all.

AsaSpades said:
Thanks every1, I have successfully rooted my G1, with no errors at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good deal man have fun!

Root Q/A

Hey guys.
So, I just got my Magic and im frustrated that I cant dl apps from market that cost money. Sadly im living in scandinavia making it not possible for me to do so.
Now I've been reading about ROoting and trying to understand what it is and wich purpose it fullfiles.
I'd appriciate a link to a "General questions regarding rooting" or something similar so I can read up and maybe, just maybe root my device without bricking it.
I've searched but nothin, read the wiki about rooting but that just explained HOW to root and not which functions it brought with the device actually being rooted.
I'd appriciate some REAL infomation and not "lol nub go google" because I have and I havent found anything yet.
The help is appriciated and I will donate some money for those that make things clear to me

Swedish guide
gagg3 said:
Hey guys.
So, I just got my Magic and im frustrated that I cant dl apps from market that cost money. Sadly im living in scandinavia making it not possible for me to do so.
Now I've been reading about ROoting and trying to understand what it is and wich purpose it fullfiles.
I'd appriciate a link to a "General questions regarding rooting" or something similar so I can read up and maybe, just maybe root my device without bricking it.
I've searched but nothin, read the wiki about rooting but that just explained HOW to root and not which functions it brought with the device actually being rooted.
I'd appriciate some REAL infomation and not "lol nub go google" because I have and I havent found anything yet.
The help is appriciated and I will donate some money for those that make things clear to me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here i found a swedish guide, it's not finished tho and i've not tried this
http://www.swedroid.se/wiki/index.php?title=Så_här_rootar/flashar_du_din_Magic

robocik said:
Here i found a swedish guide, it's not finished tho and i've not tried this
http://www.swedroid.se/wiki/index.php?title=Så_här_rootar/flashar_du_din_Magic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, as stated I dont need a "how to root your magic" I need explantion of the rooting status, why, what does it do, pro/cons? etc.
Thanks anyways

gagg3 said:
Thanks, as stated I dont need a "how to root your magic" I need explantion of the rooting status, why, what does it do, pro/cons? etc.
Thanks anyways
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, misunderstandig there...
This thing with root, i think that is like with my ubuntu linux, when you login as root or superuser, you, as it stays here "has all rights or permissions (to all files and programs) in all modes", so it has it's advantage but can be dangerous when you do something stupid.
i'm not sure if it's the same for android, but it is linux under the hood after all.
Hope it helped a little bit.

I'm sure there were a few threads early on in the Dream forum about why people should bother rooting - the benefits and such. Might be worth a specific search in there for threads like Why should I bother rooting or what are the benefits of having root? etc.
Here's how I understand it -
Seems to me Root was more important on the Dream, because it meant you could do stuff like putting a different ROM on with extras like Soft Keyboard and Latitude, and also move stuff like caches to SD Card, and more recently, move apps themselves to SD Card. This was damned near essential, due to the much smaller space on the handset for apps etc (In my experience it was about 75MB after a wipe - tiny) and the fact that the Market Cache wasn't easily clearable. Without Root, you couldn't alter those annoying things even if you had the knowhow, because you were "locked out" of changing the main ROM. So Root allowed you the freedom to modify stuff.
Other things you can do if you have root include ADB push stuff, so you can alter small parts of the system folder to suit you - like adding languages or keyboards or modified boot images etc. You can do Nandroid back ups of your whole system including installed apps, so that you can restore the apps after a wipe, or backup a ROM that works so that you can go back to it if you load one that doesn't work. Also you can install custom themes to make your fone look less generic. I believe there are ways to get tethering to work (Using the modem/internet access on the device/fone to link up via bluetooth with a laptop or netbook and surf as if you have a USB Dongle.
Some of the reasons I rooted my G1 are mute now or don't apply to the Magic
eg - More space on the magic for apps so I don't need to make more room by putting caches on SD or moving apps to SD
Cupcake update has soft keyboard anyway, and latitude
Also we now seem to be able to clear the caches for most apps via the Apps Manager, so stuff like Market and Browser doesn't grow with use and get out of hand.
Home app replacements are far more stable and are great for having different themes so no need to alter the main themes using root.
So, I haven't rooted my Ion/Magic as yet. If and when theres a really stable ROM without gliches I might go for it, but no real need for me as of yet so not gonna mess. I'm sure other folks can give you more reasons to either go for root, or leave it as it is.
Dayzee xx

Dayzee said:
I'm sure there were a few threads early on in the Dream forum about why people should bother rooting - the benefits and such. Might be worth a specific search in there for threads like Why should I bother rooting or what are the benefits of having root? etc.
Here's how I understand it -
Seems to me Root was more important on the Dream, because it meant you could do stuff like putting a different ROM on with extras like Soft Keyboard and Latitude, and also move stuff like caches to SD Card, and more recently, move apps themselves to SD Card. This was damned near essential, due to the much smaller space on the handset for apps etc (In my experience it was about 75MB after a wipe - tiny) and the fact that the Market Cache wasn't easily clearable. Without Root, you couldn't alter those annoying things even if you had the knowhow, because you were "locked out" of changing the main ROM. So Root allowed you the freedom to modify stuff.
Other things you can do if you have root include ADB push stuff, so you can alter small parts of the system folder to suit you - like adding languages or keyboards or modified boot images etc. You can do Nandroid back ups of your whole system including installed apps, so that you can restore the apps after a wipe, or backup a ROM that works so that you can go back to it if you load one that doesn't work. Also you can install custom themes to make your fone look less generic. I believe there are ways to get tethering to work (Using the modem/internet access on the device/fone to link up via bluetooth with a laptop or netbook and surf as if you have a USB Dongle.
Some of the reasons I rooted my G1 are mute now or don't apply to the Magic
eg - More space on the magic for apps so I don't need to make more room by putting caches on SD or moving apps to SD
Cupcake update has soft keyboard anyway, and latitude
Also we now seem to be able to clear the caches for most apps via the Apps Manager, so stuff like Market and Browser doesn't grow with use and get out of hand.
Home app replacements are far more stable and are great for having different themes so no need to alter the main themes using root.
So, I haven't rooted my Ion/Magic as yet. If and when theres a really stable ROM without gliches I might go for it, but no real need for me as of yet so not gonna mess. I'm sure other folks can give you more reasons to either go for root, or leave it as it is.
Dayzee xx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANKS Alot dayzee, that cleared things up.
Much appriciated!!!

[Q] what are the advantages and disadvantages of rooting and are there any risks?

Could somebody please tell me what the advantages and disadvantages of rooting the flipside are, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, are there any risks??
Will I be able to take of all of these ATT apps?
Will I be able to move my apps from the phones memory to the SD card?
Can the phone be unrooted?
Will all of my apps still work?
What is the best route to root? I have the z4root.
I am much indebted to anyone who will answer these questions. Thanks.

z4root will work fine, it's nice an easy to use. Rooting won't give you an easy way to move apps to the sd card, but you can remove the AT&T (and other system) apps. You can either do it by hand, or with any number of apps on the market. I prefer titanium backup, personally. All of your existing apps will work, there's no change there.
The only real disadvantage is that you'll have the power to screw up your phone. You can potentially screw up bad enough that you'll need to reflash the stock .sbf file. Generally, this takes some real screwing around, but just thought I'd point it out.

Thank u for your thourough answer. What do you mean by screw it up. How could I do that and how do i avoid it. Are you saying by virtue of the fact that i'm rooting that i'll screw it up, or it's something that i may do afterwards that may do it? Thanks.
also, are there any other advantages to rooting other than taking off the apps?

The act of rooting itself shouldn't screw anything up, but having root means you could possibly do something later that would. Generally, you'd have to be messing with stuff you have no business messing with. With root, you can remount the system directory as read/write, and then end up deleting or modifying a file that won't let the phone boot, which means you'd need to reflash. Stay away from the command line if you don't know what you're doing, and don't grant root access to apps you don't trust, and you're reasonably safe.
Other than removing system apps, like the AT&T garbage, you can also backup and restore apps and their data, which is great for if you need to reflash, if you switch phones, etc. There's not a TON of stuff that requires root, but honestly, removing the AT&T junk is definitely a good reason to root, the phone feels much faster after scrapping a lot of the blur and AT&T stuff.

I'm assuming then that any android/att/Motorola updates will not be problem either? BTW, do you if and when Motorola will bupdating the flipside to 2.2? Thanks.

There shouldn't be any problem updating with an official update if/when we get one, but you'll need to re-root and remove the AT&T stuff again. There's no word on when we'll get 2.2, but I'd assume we'll get it at some point.

Ok. I just rooted! Yeah, it worked! But i cannot figue out how to delete the att bloatware. I go into the apps manager and click on one of the att apps, and there is still no option to uninstall; only to clear the cache. Also, I downloaded the titanium and I cannot figure out how to do it from there either. Plus, I still had to sideload the titanium which i tbought that i would not have to do once i rooted.

mordechai said:
Plus, I still had to sideload the titanium which i tbought that i would not have to do once i rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to enable Unknown Sources before you can install non-Market apps
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=867637
This is also an example of how you can mess up your phone by having root access.

That is part of the problem that i do not have that option in two.one. that is why i had to sideload all of those programs. are you saying that i screwed up my phone. i tried clicking on the link but this googlw ad comes up and i cant get past it.

Ok, i got through to the link. But the guy seems pretty shaky as to whether you should follow his instructions. Is this legit or what?

Maybe one of you guys can help. I'm new to alot of this but my last droid x was rooted and it was great I used z4root worked perfectly. But now I have a new X and a z4root apk. On my laptop, now what? Last rooted X, I was fortunate enough to catch z4root on the market, like a day before they updated. HELP!!!!!
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

There are instructions in another post in this forum on how to enable Non-Market Apps, also known as Unknown Sources. With Titanium Backup, make sure that you grant it root permissions when it asks, and that it says something like this on the overview:
Root access: OK (BusyBox 1.17.2 from system)
HyperShell (FAST!): YES
Fast/Auto app install: Yes (using HyperShell)
SQLite: YES (SQLite 3.7.2 included)
Then just click on Backup/Restore at the top, and you'll get a list of all your apps. If you don't have backup/restore at the top, your sd card isn't mounted on the phone, unplug your usb cable and hit Menu > More > Reload application.
From Backup/Restore, you get a huge list of all the apps on your phone. Just scroll down to the AT&T stuff, tap them, and click uninstall in the top-right corner. If you're not sure if you want to uninstall something, because it might belong to something important, click Freeze instead. Freezing will stop the app from running, and stop it from showing up in your tray, but you can easily unfreeze it to restore it if it turns out it was important.
Here's the list of stuff I have frozen/uninstalled:
AdService 1.0
all of the "AT&T" apps
all of the "com.motorola" apps
Data Manager and Data Manager Service
Help Center
Home (I use ADWLauncher, don't remove this if you don't already have an alternative launcher installed)
MediaSync
Mobile Video
all of the "MotoBlur" apps
My Uploads
Phone Portal
Quick Contact
Social Messaging, Social Messaging Service, Social Networking, and Social Status
Sticky Note
Video Editor Lite
Vlingo Voice
Weather 2.1
WHERE
Work Contacts
Mobile Banking
Magic Smoke Wallpapers
Kodak Perfect Touch
AT&T Address Book
Quickoffice
YPmobile
As for enabling unknown sources, it's a bit of a pain, you'll need to be comfortable with a command line to do replace the files, and comfortable with a hex editor if you want to edit your own instead of reusing someone else's files. I managed to screw up my phone in the process and had to completely reflash and start over, it wasn't fun.
His instructions do work, but his .sh file doesn't work, you'll need to paste the commands one by one into your command prompt. I preferred to edit my own files, so I wouldn't have the same market ID, and that's just slightly more complex. I can help you through it either way though, just make a post over in that thread if you're having problems.
bubba90744 said:
Maybe one of you guys can help. I'm new to alot of this but my last droid x was rooted and it was great I used z4root worked perfectly. But now I have a new X and a z4root apk. On my laptop, now what? Last rooted X, I was fortunate enough to catch z4root on the market, like a day before they updated. HELP!!!!!
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just need to get z4root installed on your phone, it should be pretty straightforward. The Droid X shouldn't be blocking non-market apps, so just download it from your phone and run the .apk to install.

So do I hook my phone up to my laptop, and put the apk. on my sd?
Or download the apk. directly to my phone from the site?
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

I found the link, but the directions are too complicated for my novice understanding of technology. It looks like I am stuck. I don't want to try what he's saying and take any chances. Are there any other alternatives? Or do you have any other suggestions as to how to make the most of the space that I do have with the att bloatware, because I am constantly running out of room. It is a strange phenomenon that I don't understand, that when I turn on the phone it will have around 40mb to play with, and after a few hours it is down to 16 and then 10, and then before I know it, the phone is telling me that my memory is full. So then I reset and it's back to ~40 again. Do you have an explanation? Thanks.

[Q] VM USA Intercept Clean no junk apps?

I have switched jobs and ended up with a VM Samsung Intercept I am growing to like it but I hate the bloatware other then rooting it is there anyway to uninstall the junk I will never use and keep the other junk from running at start up every single time?
At a fresh boot I have 52 Megs after running advanced task killer and stopping the bloatware I have 62
Amazon MP3 Never used it never will use it it runs at start up every single time I reboot the phone and I have to go in and kill it (Makes me want to never use Amazon again)
MAPS I have turned off all location bases services but everytime I reboot the phone that dang maps loads again (I Hate it)
Market I use it to download apps and games but I don't need it running every single time I reboot
Voice Dailer never use it doubt I ever will
SSA (not sure what it is)

Hello,
I have the same problems as you do. Download an app called startup cleaner from the marketplace. There you can have it kill the apps you don't want at startup. It's the closest way to getting rid of them without rooting your phone.

Everyone asks this, it's not unique to one phone
These are system apps and are in a system directory that is write and delete protected. Think of root as admin on a computer it grants you special privileges like write and delete.
You lack the permissions necessary without root. As for the answer to you question I think you knew it when you posted and after this should most defiantly know the correct answer is often the most obvious.
When I was new to android I was worried too, but don't worry. Just find a "stock rom" and if you need to ever send the device in you will be able to flash the stock images on to the built in flash memory. It's like any writable memory you can always write over it with original information if you have source for the original info.

Hi I don't have a Samsung Intercept but I know that any rooted phone can remove bloatware using the app, Titanium Backup. You need to be rooted in order for app to work, and it is free.
Eric

Yeah you have to root your phone before you can remove system apps. I suggest anyone root there phone, you can make it like 100 times better. Go over to sdx-developers.com and look around in the intercept section for how to root your phone!
Sent from my SPH-M910 using Tapatalk

Very simple
Rooting this phone is quite simple - using only help and posts from xda I was able to root my intercept, remove the annoying bloatware (which really makes the system run great) and use my phone as a full infrastructure mode Wi-Fi hotspot for my android tablet.
Don't waste your time with startup cleaners and task killers - just head over to the dev section and read the guide and root your phone - then install Titanium Backup from the market - you can use it to remove factory installed apps but still keep a backup of them - you will need to restore them if VM ever pushes out another OTA update (which I doubt; I don't see us getting gingerbread on this device)
PM me if you need help rooting your Intercept. You need a data sync cable, a windows PC, and a little bit of time to get it going.

Phone Hacked with Spyware Remotely ?

Hi,
My brother has been told by an associate, that he has hacked his phone and can track and hear everything he does and did it remotely.
Also said the App is undetectable.
His phone is a rooted Note 3 and his wife has a non rooted Galaxy S5.
Now, I have told him there is no way for for somebody to remotely install any app on your phone even if it is rooted, unless it is already compromised and or unless they have your Google account and password, which i am not 100% sure that would allow you to install anything either.
So my question is, if he flashes an original rom and creates a new Google account, can he feel safe that his phone can't have malicious apps installed with out his knowledge ?
I would assume a factory reset wouldn't be enough to get rid of an app installed as a system app ?
Is there any programs he could install to check for malicious apps.
I think my brother is just being overly paranoid and this guy is a ****
Help greatly appreciated.
Hopefully this is the right thread / board, if not please move to the correct thread please mods.

JaGuR said:
Hi,
My brother has been told by an associate, that he has hacked his phone and can track and hear everything he does and did it remotely.
Also said the App is undetectable.
His phone is a rooted Note 3 and his wife has a non rooted Galaxy S5.
Now, I have told him there is no way for for somebody to remotely install any app on your phone even if it is rooted, unless it is already compromised and or unless they have your Google account and password, which i am not 100% sure that would allow you to install anything either.
So my question is, if he flashes an original rom and creates a new Google account, can he feel safe that his phone can't have malicious apps installed with out his knowledge ?
I would assume a factory reset wouldn't be enough to get rid of an app installed as a system app ?
Is there any programs he could install to check for malicious apps.
I think my brother is just being overly paranoid and this guy is a ****
Help greatly appreciated.
Hopefully this is the right thread / board, if not please move to the correct thread please mods.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would say, scan with an antivirus like avast and see what can come up, and to your question, if he flashes the stock rom, everything which has been installed as a system app will get removed, also if your phone is rooted , avast has a function which is called firewall, in that you can control the internet connectivity of all the user/system app. I use it to block internet access to systems which in my view do not need any connectivity to run. Its very easy to do also. ask him to change his goole password and also user 2 factor authentication on google.

Sounds like someone's been watching a bit too much Person of Interest...
Do such 'apps' exist? Yes. Are they publicly available? Hell no.

I dont think theres a software like that in public. Thats a lot of money to be earned "IF" ever and theres laws to break.
Just do a factory reset from recovery or a better solution is to upgrade your firmware to the newest build from samfirmware

Factory reset won't delete system apps.
The least you can do is flash stock ROM using Odin to fulfill your brother's OCD.

Thanks guys, will put my mind at rest and hopefully his.

JaGuR said:
1- if he flashes an original rom and creates a new Google account, can he feel safe that his phone can't have malicious apps installed with out his knowledge ?
2- I would assume a factory reset wouldn't be enough to get rid of an app installed as a system app ?
3- Is there any programs he could install to check for malicious apps.
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1- Yes. And no need to create a new account, just change the password of the current account.
2- Yes, in some (rare) cases.
3- I'm not sure. You can try some antivirus apps or security apps on the Play Store. But in general, you can check yourself by finding apps that have the following permissions: READ SMS + RECORD AUDIO + FULL INTERNET ACCESS... Try to eliminate well-known safe apps, plus some experiences and some helps from the other, you can identify these malicious apps.