Database Users

Cyanogen or froyo stock?

Hi, I just got my g2 from the free promotion thingy and im pretty much new to andriod. Should I stay on stock froyo or use cyanogen? And what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

I would root it. There are tons of things that are advantages, such taking some of the crapware that comes bundled on the phone, ability to put themes on your phone, and you get added features with cyanogenmod and other roms out there. The features you can check out for yourself, which can be found on changelogs, YouTube videos, forum post, etc. Spend some time, read that roms' forum thread and learn a few things along the way.
Sent from my HTC Vision

It can be a tough decision.
First of all I am coming from a g1 that was running the latest stable cyanogenmod so the G2 has been an amazing phone stock. It is super fast and the display is seriously amazing. I did root it because I wanted to check out the cm7 nightlies and also the stable cm6.1.1.
First of all I actually like some of the apps that came pre-installed on the g2. Quickoffice is amazing and an excellent ppt, pdf, doc viewer. I did miss that on cyanogen and I also preferred the stock 2.2 scheme and app drawer. However these are the main differences. Everything else is very similar just with added functionality. You can manipulate every aspect of the UI including the power widget on the notification bar (my personal favorite). You can also overclock your cpu to squeeze some more performance out (up to 1.8ghz but I hear 1.4 is safer). You can also use your current data plan for tethering instead of having to pay extra.
But all in all if you don't require or need this functionality, just stay stock. The stock experience is excellent. I come from the G1 culture where we rooted just so we could stay relevant and get some decent speed on our long forgotten phones. That was the only reason I rooted before and quite possibly the only reason I'll root in the future.
I went back to stock to get my quick office back and I really don't mind the loss of functionality (for now) however I do miss the cool radio tuner.

Quickoffice is in CyanogenMod...
Anyway, root your phone and flash CyanogenMod. The stock experience is great and all but so many things just work better with CyanogenMod.
When you root, you obtain so many more capabilities. How would you like to remove every single advertisement you see? Well you can't do it unless you root.
There are so many more things but I just can't get into it. You'll sit here all day reading my post. Just take me word for it and root. You won't go wrong but READ READ READ all instructions and understand them before you do anything.
Yes, it is risky but only if you're stupid and/or rushing. Make sure you have the correct files and always make a backup. I keep them in a special place on me computer. I still have my stock backed up for if I ever have a problem.
It's a fun thing to get into. You learn a lot and will continue to learn. If you don't find out something new everyday with your G2, there's really no reason to have it, IMHO...
Sent from me CM7 Nightly HTC Vision using XDA App that needs a thanks button implemented

Cyanogen is stock 2.3.2 with tons of extra features and extremely stable. Stock is 2.2.1 with a ton of bloat and no extra features. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Root and flash cyanogen mod, awesome decision.

I am coming from a rooted G1 and I got my G2 from the free promotion and I rooted because I can't do without it. Once you have root, you won't ever want to go back. I rooted my G2 in the first 30 minutes that it was out of the box. Only down side that I can think of is that you can't have an inteligent conversation with a service rep. xD
You can get root and stay on the stock software/ROM but I don't recemend it, the whole Android experiance changes the moment you install a custom ROM.
The manufacturer and carrier has locked the phone down so much that they basically own the phone, they locked down the potential of the device so much that once you have root you'll be amazed about how much stuff you can now do on it.
YOU bought the phone, its YOURS, NOT the carrier's, NOT the manufacturer's but YOURS, why not make it so?
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

I would also recommend that you check out some of the Desire Z/Sense ports (I'm using Virtuous). They're quite clean in terms of bloatware, but you get alot of extras, such as a superior camera/music player app, plugins (Facebook, Flickr, LinkedIn, etc), and more. You can still use ADW Launcher or Launcher Pro for your homescreen/app drawer.

root. install cyanogen. Obtain FM Radio = win

btate0121 said:
root. install cyanogen. Obtain FM Radio = win
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got mine last Friday and I rooted just to get rid of the bloatware and for overclock.
The FM radio is a bonus... that's sweet.

Does rooting still void the warranty?
I waited until my warranty had run out with my G1 before I rooted it. Just afraid the phone'll break or so and I wont have any options.

metamet said:
Does rooting still void the warranty?
I waited until my warranty had run out with my G1 before I rooted it. Just afraid the phone'll break or so and I wont have any options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically, yes. However, it's pretty easy to flash a stock ROM back on if you break something.

I preordered my G2 after a long, rooted 2 years on the G1. When I first got the G2, I said I wouldn't root because it didn't need it. My G2 did everything the G1 did but much, much faster. Then I got tired of not having full control of my phone. I had apps I would never use running in the background plus numerous other things that I just had no control over. Then, the brilliant developers found root and I haven't looked back.
I have a lot of people with unrooted android devices around me and they are always blown away by what I can do with my G2. For me, rooting turned my smartPHONE into tiny PC that does calls.
I have a guy I work with who just picked up the new nexus. He was showing it to me and commented on the GB light when you hit the bottom of a page. Well he griped that he wanted the overscroll bounce back. I then showed him that with root and cyan, you can have both. He wasn't ammused as he is afraid to root.
I say read up on everything that is involved with rooting and flashing custom bits. When you feel comfy with it. Unlock that bish and make that G2 your own.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

unlock on galaxy 2 ?

hi,i can pick one of these phones up for £260 white version is that a good deal ? if so are these phones any good ? & i read that u can unlock them with free app on android market but does it need to be rooted ??

Yes, yes and yes.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

thanks,i think the phone is on 02 & im vodafone & i dont fancy going down the road of rooting just yet,so u think the unlock app on android market should help me out without rooting ?

Rooting is so easy on this phone. Looks like a great price as well
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

hi,ive been an apple fan for years ive had all the iphones,but ive got a experia play at the moment & fancy a change,always done jailbreak on my iphones & i take it rooting is similar method on android phones,is it worth rooting & what exactly will i benefit from doing it ?still looking for a positive answer for the unlock cause i need my voda sim to work in this phone ?

It's definitely worth it, because:
- You're be able to use more great apps like Titanium Backup, Root Explorer or Droidwall, AdFree etc.
- More customization abilities in themes and menues
- Many developers did a great job on fixing some issues like gtalk, battery life improvement, added call record features, no ascending ringtone, speed improvements etc.
It takes some time to get used to it, but it is definitely a great experience for sure. Take a look at the custom roms topics in the original android development or android development sections.

[Q] why root the kindle fire

Like the tittle says... I love customizing everything and making it work my way... but after reading page after page to root my device, I don't find it worth it.
So why did you want to root mainly to benefit from and not just to play with a new toy?
All I have is go launcher on mine and I am done... what else do I really need to gain more from my kindle by rooting?

Why I rooted
I chose to root and install a custom rom. I loved the name ICS and since I read about it some time last year I wanted to try it out. The Kindle gave the best device to try it out on a small budget. Me knowing if I messed it up I would be upset with myself but I could have lived with it. There is a lot you can do after rooting. You can install what ever app you want. Install the market and get out of Amazon slow apps that just don't do the device justices. With adb services running you dont even have to copy apk file over just install it as root. I have tried 4 different ROMS for the kindle and CM9 just has to be about my favorite. I know there are a few bugs left to work out, but over all it is great. If you need help installing TWRP to install CM9 let me know I wrote my own simple how to for myself.
Thanks,
JohninLex

There are a lot of benefits to rooting. However, my main reason was to install custom roms (using CM7). I never intended to use this as an Amazon portal from day one.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium

There are many reasons to root. Rooting is very easy. The KindleFireUtility does everything for you, just be sure to read the thread to avoid some of the problems people ran into. You can keep the basic e-reader functionality with the Kindle app from the Android Market but customize the experience a lot more than what GoLauncher offers. Amazon gave us a pretty poor stock ROM in the sense that it's very limited. I like having full control over my devices and the user-developed ROMs here are really great

Android Market access, popular apps that require root (Titanium Backup, Droid Wall, the Swype beta, etc), installing custom ROMs based on newer, better Android versions with performance tweaks, and soon with luck and a lot of developer sweat, USB OTG. Also it makes you more attractive to the opposite sex.
Sent from my Kindle Fire (CM7) using xda premium

I had this same thought when I first got my Fire. I even put Go Launcher on it and thought it would have been good enough, until I got frustrated with the lack of apps in the Amazon Appstore. I never rooted anything so I was a little nervous. After doing a lot of research I decided to give it a try. I also wanted to experience ICS and you can only do that by installing custom ROMs. I feel like I have unlocked so many possibilities for my Fire by rooting it and I am happy I did it.
Sent from my GT-P1000(Kindle Fire) using XDA

I got frustrated having go launcher but not being able to readily access the Android market for widgets. I tried CM9 and its awesome but I got the kindle for YouTube and Netflix so I can't leave CM9 on there for to long before I revert back to stock or CM7.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

kindlefireuser said:
Like the tittle says... I love customizing everything and making it work my way... but after reading page after page to root my device, I don't find it worth it.
So why did you want to root mainly to benefit from and not just to play with a new toy?
All I have is go launcher on mine and I am done... what else do I really need to gain more from my kindle by rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You answered it in the second sentence of your question:
"I love customizing everything and making it work my way..."

There's a reason the new root market (fire place) exists...

Honestly, after just going through the process, access to Google Play is probably one of the weakest reasons for rooting. Outside of getting the Google developed apps such as Google+, Gmail, Drive, Sync Framkework...etc...the Market is even weaker than the Amazon App Store due to Google segregating you to a very small amount of apps because of incompatibility issues.
Having compatible gapps provided through snazzy utilities such as KFU is pretty sweet, though.
I have no plans of flashing a custom ROM because it's not solely my device. I am also a Prime member, so the Amazon sandbox is beneficial. I did however root, simply because I am a geek and couldn't resist the temptation to try it out and see what benefits it provides.
If anything, it is nice to be able to explore root with ES File Explorer.

I have rooted every android device that I have ever owned (G1, G2X, NX700p and the Kindle Fire). Mostly for the "new toy" aspect. I love flashing new ROMs and interfaces when I get bored with one. Play store is nice to have (along with other gapps).
Rooted my Kindle Fire within 2 hours of opening the box (got stuck in fastboot and thought I bricked it, good times). I am not a fan of the Kindle Launcher (or even Silk browser, really).
So yeah, new toy to play with for a small fee (rooting is free but can take time and effort) is my main reason.
Plus it makes me more attractive to the opposite sex =]

I've rooted and changed the roms on all of my previous phones but I haven't had the itch to root and rom the Fire. I personally like it the way it is stock. Simple to use and does what I need it to do(web browsing, reading, and media). I just sideload the apps that I can't find in the Amazon App store. Maybe one day I'll root and rom it.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA

I thought you didn't have to root to install custom roms.
I rooted first to get the Play Store. Then I installed custom roms after I got bored of using gingerbread.

Blacklight17 said:
I've rooted and changed the roms on all of my previous phones but I haven't had the itch to root and rom the Fire. I personally like it the way it is stock. Simple to use and does what I need it to do(web browsing, reading, and media). I just sideload the apps that I can't find in the Amazon App store. Maybe one day I'll root and rom it.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same boat here. I actually haven't rooted my Amaze either as I realize as much fun rooting and flashing was, IMO stock does just enough...
I like you just sideload apps and good to go.
I also have Prime and use their video services more than Netflix.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using Tapatalk 2

There's few reasons why I have rooted and, most important - installeld custom ROM (Energy CM9 Kang) on my Kindle:
1) Need for Google Play App store (I am in Europe and for me all the US based services does'nt work)
2) On/of button on the bottom. I like to us emy Kindle flipped to keep the button and earphones plug on top, but when screen is locked i get the lock screen with the password keyboard flipped on the stock OS.
3) Was unable to transfer apps from the app to the files partition. Flashing custom ROM fixed this.
4) Having ICS on a Kindle was so tempting... and soooo worth it.

Mostly for adblock and to get off the stock ROM which isn't so great if you just want a tablet without any restrictions. I also had no intentions of using this how Amazon originally meant people to use it.
I also have a problem with a manufacturer telling me i can't do something with my own device.

JohninLex said:
I chose to root and install a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. Same hereI just rooted yesterday to install CM9 (some version of it). It was very simple. Now I can have Google Maps, Google Voice, and Gmail on it as well as Path (keep in mind that the kindle fire does not have a gps or a microphone).

Just a Couple reasons to start with...
The first one is, I like security and backups, so I use TWRP so I can back up my apps and data.
Second, any Android device can collect a SERIOUS amount of memory-hogging cache, so I use Cache-Mate to clear it all.
Third, I personally hate the default status bar, so I currently have CM7 on it with a smaller design.
Fourth, I also dont like the keyboard, so I replaced it with this nice split keyboard.
Fifth, I like making my device run faster, so I overclock when im using it and underclock when im not.
Sixth, volume adjusting requires going through menus, so i use Volume Control to change it easily. (Does this require root?)
Thats about it

one word answer: ICS

Went back to unrooted.

I originally rooted to install google wallet. but I had so many problems with actually installing it that I just gave up and unrooted my phone. I tried out a few roms but until they get to 4.2 android (jelly beans/jedi) I think I'm going to take a breather from ROM bugs.

Right in time to stop me from rooting,I was hesitant all along after bricking my Note One by constantly playing with Custom Roms and Kernels,thats over six months ago,but looks like It has started itching me to repeat the process once again with my Note II, although,so far, I havent felt the need tbviously will pass on it for the time beeing.

And the point of this... Maybe I'll tell everyone I've turned the s note pop-up when removing the s-pen off. You know because I don't use it.

EmptyArea said:
And the point of this... Maybe I'll tell everyone I've turned the s note pop-up when removing the s-pen off. You know because I don't use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will never go back to unrooted..its just feels like stuck in a cage..and well replied the above user!..If you know what you are doing..rooting opens up unlimited possibilities!

Not sure how anyone has issues rooting with the fantastic tools available....I suggest you go download Samsung_Galaxy_Note2_ToolKit and use that. Seriously it doesn't get easier than that. I bought my Note 2 and within the first few hours I was rooted, just for the sake of being rooted.

If you choose custom roms with respected developers, you can rely on them. If thousands use the rom, possible bugs will be posted on its forum, and the rom will be updated. There are often bugs in official roms but you have to wait months for the fix there! Custom roms open a new world for you.

If you choose the right ROM, you won't have any problems. And several of them don't have any problems. If you want to be sure that it's as stable as possible, choose a Samsung based ROM and stock kernel. But more complex ROMs are mostly completely stable. I am on ESA NOTE with the abyss kernel and I don't have any problems at all. But I have tried others like Omega and ARHD with the same results.

It was more or less having problems getting google wallet to work. I do know a lot about rooting I've been doing it since the moto droid. I just could not get wallet to work consistently. And the rom bugs alot of times developers know about them but they take away a few things I like or the usefulness is gone because there is a slight issue due to porting. To say that there is a rom out there that doesn't have at least one major issue after its made would be to bury your head in the sand. I've tried a lot of the major more popular rooms and granted some features were really cool other things made me get rid of it.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

Root is not only to play with rom. I'm on stock rom, and rooted it in order to use Titanium Backup, AdWay and Android Firewall. The note II is my first Android phone for wich i dont feel the need to use a custom rom.

I always root, even if If I say on the stock ROM. Never had any issues.
If your device became unstable its down to the app or ROM you are trying to use not the fact that you have the ability to grant select apps root access

Rooting your device means allowing the administrative access to your device, not to install some damn ROMs. I'll always be on Stock ROM and will always be rooted.
OP's statement is moot.
'Swyped' from my GT-N7100

I use root for certain apps not for custom roms. Always stock for me
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

The only reason why I unrooted my phone and stopped using custom roms is that I hate losing my apps data (for example, games progress) every time I try or upgrade to a new custom rom. Titanium backup is nice but it doesn't work perfectly like how iphone backup works....
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app

Rooting does not equate installing custom roms. I'm running stock 4.1.1 and rooted. The advantages are endless, freezing and backing up apps, using network apps such as dsploit, assigning endless amount of specific led colors for certain notifications/apps; the list is endless.

I've taken a break from custom roms since Sammy did an amazing job with stock, but I'll always be rooted. There's just too much to lose without root.
- ad blocking
- directory bind
- titanium backup
- freezing system apps
- spen gesture control app
- mobile Odin
- file managers with root access
Take away any one of those root-enabled feature and I would be really sad.
Sent from my iPad 4th gen using Tapatalk 2

Why I am planning to NOT root my awesome Note 3

I used to root all my devices, my S2, my note 2, but not my note 3, and here's why.
1. I used to hate TouchWiz, but now with all the new features like air gestures, S pen features, smart stay, IR blaster, etc, and the updated more "Realistic" look to it, i will have no need to switch to AOSP, even if it is smoother, i have 3gb RAM anyways (Oh GOD do I LOVE the 3gb of ram!!)
2. Dam KNOX!! Y U DO DIS!! Y U VOID MY WARRANTY!?
3. I own a Rogers note 3, and a mac. No way to root it yet with a rogers note 3 and a mac
4. I will lose features if i switch to AOSP, and if i switch to another TW custom ROM it would most likely have some bugs that the stock one doesn't have.
5. DAT CAMERA.
6. Bricked phone once, softbricked a couple of times, and let me tell you, first time i bricked, i couldn't sleep for 2 whole nights. And always paranoid when rebooting phone that a bootloop would happen or something.
7. No need to overclock or change kernel, i am more than happy with my high-end device right now thank you very much.
8. Worry-free!!! I will never have to worry again!! Sometimes i think to myself why i always root my phone and mess something up, and always have to heimdall back to stock.
9. I own a GALAXY GEAR!! Switching roms may risk making my gear UN-USABLE!! Which SUCKS!! paid 300+ bucks for this thing!!!
10. I am plenty happy with my phone and don't plan to mess it up anytime soon. I love my stock Note 3, and my Galaxy gear too

Smh. Some of these things you have no idea about.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app

SkizzMcNizz said:
Smh. Some of these things you have no idea about.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed...i mean half the stuff he mentions has no bearing on root whatsoever...and to keep
Knox when we don't even have the option to run the encrypted dual boot partition makes no sense. Plus i also have a gear, and its also rooted...i take it he either has never rooted or has no clue what rooting actually does. He mistakes romming with rooting, and makes it seem like rooting is somehow capable of breaking functions like bluetooth???
Not trying to be a jerk, but posting this list is irresponsible and counter to the foundation xda is built upon. Your basically posting this as a justification for not rooting, but why, why not just not root...what's the point of this post at all?
Many noobs or first time rooters will see this and be confused thinking your mistakes and errors that caused the brick, or mixing up root and rom are the norm or cause for concern, and neither are true.
strait up...root does nothing more than "root" level access, or basically full access to your device aallow in you the OPTION to remove apps or customize your device. It in no way breaks bluetooth, or affects your launcher (touchwiz) as is being alluded to.
Mega

This phone is pretty damn powerful even with a ton of bloatwares running in the background. I can see that this might be the reason why some don't feel the need to root and modify their note 3. But if you say avoiding root because you want to keep your phone perfectly functional, then I don't understand the reasoning here. Root doesn't render the phone useless, it is what you do after you root it that bricks or damages it. You can root this phone and keep all the S functions you want, add more stuffs to it and the phone will still be perfectly functioning, but of course it is a personal thing.
I personally rooted this phone, modified a lot of things before I even put the new sim card in and activated it. This phone is pretty powerful by stock, but I like to mess with it, and I usually read up a lot of posts before I do anything crazy, and I always have odin next to me when I do it. So far nothing is damaged and the phone is running xnote with all the S functions running smoothly.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app

Sounds like someone needs to do a little research that's all.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

One word.
Kingo
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app

You will change your mind

If for nothing else then just to remove all the bloat. After I removed all the bloat my ram usage has been around 1gb out 2.xx gb. And my battery life has been GREAT. I get 7 hours+ with about 24+ standby.
Here is my script http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2587899 (if you change your mind

I've been doing this since finding rsd lite was like warez and you had to do hex edits, and rooted day one. I think my phone is more functional and has enough customization to make it as individual as I am. It's your choice to root or not, but I agree with the post above you might give the newer members the wrong idea.

Not sure what value this thread has now that it has been said...nor what it has towards development.
Thread closed.