Why Root? - Nexus 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I root every phone I have for tether. I am not sure why I would want to root the Nexus other than because we can.

Because it will allow for a lot more mods and flexibility.
Tablet UI? Needs root.
Adaway app from the market for ad blocking? Needs root.
Various sound mods? Needs root.
You get the point
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Bielinsk said:
I root every phone I have for tether. I am not sure why I would want to root the Nexus other than because we can.
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Click to collapse
You only root for tethering...?
Seems a bit shallow, no offense.
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kind3rgarten said:
You only root for tethering...?
Seems a bit shallow, no offense.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would that be shallow? I don't need or desire to do anything else. After flashing my 1000 rom, I grew tired of resetting my phone. So now I use it as a phone.
Back to the thread. Good points DarkRyoushii, thank you.

I rooted so I could import my data from my last tablet. I am also waiting to get a usb otg adapter to mount external usb, which also requires root. But it also gives the ability to do a little more.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

danifunker said:
I rooted so I could import my data from my last tablet. I am also waiting to get a usb otg adapter to mount external usb, which also requires root. But it also gives the ability to do a little more.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was wondering about rooting as well, thanks everyone.

to me unlocking the bootloader is probably more important as you can install clockwork recovery and then are enable to flash ROMs and other things. Having said that rooting does have its advantages -
gives you more flexibility to run rooted only apps like Titanium Backup, enables you to change density of your screen so you can get tablet mode, lets you install a terminal program and send commands directly to the system
cypwrx said:
Was wondering about rooting as well, thanks everyone.
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Click to collapse

I need root to use Openvpn to be connected on my USA VPS server to have access to all the USA Google stuff, Netflix and hulu from Canada.
Currently setting a London Openvpn access for IPlayer too!
To me being rooted is almost a necessity to enjoy this device fully.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

danifunker said:
I rooted so I could import my data from my last tablet. I am also waiting to get a usb otg adapter to mount external usb, which also requires root. But it also gives the ability to do a little more.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm like the OP. My HTC EVO LTE is rooted, but I'm deciding whether to root my 7. I like the UI just as it is. I can always reinstall apps.
However, I am curious about getting an usb otg adapter to mount external usb. As I understand, I can already use a usb keyboard or mouse.
Is rooting and gaining access as an external usb drive the only way to transfer files between my PC and the 7? I mean other than Dropbox, etc.
I seem to remember there's an app to let you wirelessly transfer, but I can't remember if it requires root.

I'm rooting In order to use USB storage.

Same here, the only reason I want root is to connect a OTG cable for extra storage.

I don't mean to be naive or anything (been rooted since opening my N7) but isn't the device set up for USB OTG out of the box?
There's a setting in Settings > Developer Options for allowing apps to access USB storage..... So is rooting reply required for that feature?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

i rooted for the extra tweaks and mods that cm10 and or aokp will bring to my nexus 7.

Waiting for rob43's Salad Bar II to come and replace the highly questionable nav bar we have currently.
Titanium backup is a must have.
Other than that, yeah.

Like other's I have flash phones (that just doesn't sound right) but have not had a Nexus product before.
What's the risk of rooting this quickly. Any concern that G will release a feature that rooted N7 will not be able to use?

I rooted Nexus 7 to restore app data from Galaxy Nexus using titanium backup, run stickmount for external usb file transfer, and of course custom roms.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

I rooted because it only took 20 minutes... and for GameCIH, plus when I decide on a ROM i'll be able to flash it. It's a nexus, root it! XD

Bielinsk said:
I root every phone I have for tether. I am not sure why I would want to root the Nexus other than because we can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just like everyone saying in here, it becomes beneficial to root when you want to install certain apps like for me autokiller (kills apps not being used and can make kernel tweaks). Its just a nice thing to have done. Usually when there are new updates, you find it first on message boards like these, and being able to flash the updates when they first become available makes you very pleased with the decision of doing it.
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Why not root?
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If you have to ask why you should root, then you don't have any need for it.
I root for many things.
Adaway is the main reason. I can't stand ads popping up everywhere.
OTG storage of course (stickmount)
Over and under clocking. Voltage tweaks, sd tweaks, etc.
Changing my DNS to stock.

Related

Am I missing out by not rooting??

Reason I ask is because...I rooted my EVO now everyday I am in the dev section looking for new roms and kernels. I really don't want to deal with that stress with my Tab...Unless I am missing something that's a must have with root.
Tell me...
I don't want to flash a new rom yet as I just got my Tab on Friday. But I must say, rooting is necessary if you want to take full advantage of the device's capabilities. Barring flashing a custom rom.
Applications like Titanium Backup and Market Enabler require the device to be rooted. And those are just the ones I've installed thus far. I'm sure there are many other useful applications out there which require su access.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
For me the main reason was to be able remove the file that was constantly reminding me to activate the phone,
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bdejong11129 said:
For me the main reason was to be able remove the file that was constantly reminding me to activate the phone,
Sent from my SPH-P100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is annoying!
Market Enabler and Root Explorer were the deal breakers for me.
Stress? How can rooting be stressful? If anyting, it'll reduce the stress by allowing your device to function properly.
AnyMal said:
Stress? How can rooting be stressful? If anyting, it'll reduce the stress by allowing your device to function properly.
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Click to collapse
Stressful? Did I miss something?
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Keep settings, layout etc of stock rom?

Hi all, must have been asked but not sure what to search for so can't find it.
I've been using completely stock up until now and will be rooting once I get my new PC through. So I have all the apps, accounts, settings, layouts etc as I want. Can I backup any of this and restore it properly onto a custom rom?. Most likely will be Paranoid.
Thanks.
You can try to use my backup pro since you're not yet rooted. As far as I know, you can use it without rooting. Probably wit limited functionality. But definitely you cannot get away from restoring some of your settings manually. There's simply no seamless way right now.
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frozenspark said:
You can try to use my backup pro since you're not yet rooted. As far as I know, you can use it without rooting. Probably wit limited functionality. But definitely you cannot get away from restoring some of your settings manually. There's simply no seamless way right now.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for reply, shame, really surprised there isn't, I've rooted now, will do a backup with that for the sake of trying.
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4.2 Update. Yes or No

I just received the notification on my Nexus 7 regarding the system update, however I am at a crossroads if I should do it or not as i am currently setup with Tablet UI (DPI 160), all my apps and icons are nice and tightly displayed using Apex launcher and with all the posts stating that you cannot revert the DPI back down once you upgrade i am not sure what to do. Any advise as to why I should upgrade would be helpful.
Thanks,
JBIRD
i would wait as yoou wont really be able to mount any external storage until this stickmount or the nexus 7 mount app gets updated to work in 4.2
I am going to wait untill all the apps I use get updated where I know they will work.No use in haveing a new update if nothing works that I want to use on it.
It took hbo over a month to get working on jelly bean and some apps still don't work.I will wait and see before screwing them up because some things might take a while.:laugh:
I say wait because:
- we didn't get miracast
- new issues with bluetooth, specifically bluetooth audio with wifi enabled/active. Bluetooth audio already had issues in android, now it's worse.
- multi user is no good. Other users can't access your apps, unless they already own them. Haven't tried this yet, but from what I read.
- camera app lost funny faces. Big mouth, small eyes etc. Yes it's gimicky but I've had friends' kids laugh their asses off while using this. Why remove it?
- I'm getting lag (sometimes) again, similar to the pre 4.1.2 issues. Not all users are getting this but I am.
I was initially excited about 4.2 but disappointed now, considering rolling back.
Also no tablet UI. Its completely ripped out. Back to phablet mode. I'm enjoying it though.
Also Apex crashes immediately. So I'm using the stock launcher and everything.
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no stickmount, widi and ad hoc support(if ever) yet. need app dev to catch up first.
player911 said:
Also no tablet UI. Its completely ripped out. Back to phablet mode. I'm enjoying it though.
Also Apex crashes immediately. So I'm using the stock launcher and everything.
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Click to collapse
Apex running fine for me. Dirty flash from CleanRom. I just had to reset it as the default. I seem to recall someone had problems when they restored their launcher settings and that wiping data for Apex fixed the issue.
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I vote no. Too many glitches. Flashplayer stopped working. Panoramic mode in camera FCs camera app. I'm considering rolling back as well.
I also vote NO. Dolphin Browser won't start, Firefox crashes, cannot access Internet when tethered to my iPhone etc.
No, give it a week or so
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I also vote NO. Dolphin Browser won't start, Firefox crashes, cannot access Internet when tethered to my iPhone etc.
no, definitely NO! USB not working, development access required to stop Android sending every installed app back to Google, several more other apps not working (such as MX player...). No, no way, I will be switching from stock to something other with 4.1.2, because it is unusable this way...
Thanks everyone, appreciate the input. After this i am definitely going to wait
Stick mount is working fine for me. I'm able to use my USB storage
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tkelly0727 said:
Stick mount is working fine for me. I'm able to use my USB storage
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Click to collapse
Hey tkelly,
You must be one of the lucky ones. I have been reading that the usb directories have changed due to the new instituted multi user option. Are you able to see the contents of your folder on various accounts you setup?
Thanks,
JBIRD
I just reverted back to 4.1.2 because of the issues in 4.2. I'll wait until things seem to be a bit better before I upgrade again.
Nope. Too much stuff broken with 3rd party apps. And its hot a slight case of the jitters. Project Butter seems to be on holiday.
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tkelly0727 said:
Stick mount is working fine for me. I'm able to use my USB storage.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you fill the rest of us in on how to get Stickmount to work?
Well I don't have multi user ATM. But all I did was I rooted with wugfresh toolkit(sorry if I spelt it wrong). And the I just plug it in and it said USB mounted or what it normally says. Yeah I can veiw my files on it. I will try with muli user on and will report later
Edit
Stick mount doesn't support multi user son only the primary user can use stick mount. And the the second user I had set up did not read USB storage. So its still working but only for primary user
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PromaneX said:
I just reverted back to 4.1.2 because of the issues in 4.2. I'll wait until things seem to be a bit better before I upgrade again.
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Click to collapse
How can I revert back? This update is garbage
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Why I'm hesitating to root...

Hi Folks,
My first post on N4 section.
Ive just upgraded from a HTC Sensation that I've been running for two years, mostly using CM9 & CM10 on it, so Im well aware of all the benefits to root.
Even been lucky enough to have some of the excellent Devs cooking in this section over at Sensation workbench too, like Showp's kernel with Sweep2wake.
So far, my Nexus has not been rooted, and although I miss custom Rom-ing, im very excited to say that not rooting means that some apps like SkyGo and Barclays Mobile banking & Barclays PingIt are working very nicely for me indeed, something that never happened on my Sensation.
Since my go-to rom on Sensation was AOSP anyway, Im pleased with my stock Android for now, and it just seems that some of the apps I can use now are pushing me into the non-root territory.... for now.
Anyone with any thoughts on my current predicament?
I don't see anything wrong with it although you are going to lose data the moment you decide to root. Unlocking the bootloader would wipe data off your phone if I remember correctly. (Nexus noob as I came from Desire.)
via xda app
Agreed, I rooted my xperia, HTC evo and HP touchpad just to run AOSP. My nexus is staying stock for a long time, like you its very convenient to use the Barclays apps, only thing that might tempt me to root is to block ads....
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
I was in your boat with my HTC vivid. That thing had to be rooted to make it actually useful. But with the N4, I have no need to root. Ironic, don't you think? We finally get the phone that screams to mod it with how easy it is to root and yet we don't...
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While I respect all of your decisions to hold off on rooting, I will recommend that even if you don't root, unlock your boot loader ASAP because as mentioned above, your data IS wiped when you do so and it is necessary to do so if you ever decide to root in the future.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
I have taken a look at the nexus 4 toolkit by mskip and you backup apps and data before unlocking then restore.... So I don't think it really matters.
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stankyou said:
I don't see anything wrong with it although you are going to lose data the moment you decide to root. Unlocking the bootloader would wipe data off your phone if I remember correctly. (Nexus noob as I came from Desire.)
via xda app
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Click to collapse
Hmm I didn't lose data when I rooted..
Also without root you can't make the most of your battery with under clicking, screen off profiles, cpu sleeper, etc.
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VoiD_Dweller said:
Hmm I didn't lose data when I rooted..
Also without root you can't make the most of your battery with under clicking, screen off profiles, cpu sleeper, etc.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
As soon as I unlock the bootloader, my data is wiped. Maybe you used toolkits and such like what the other guy said and had that option to save stuff. As for me I prefer command lines as much as possible.
via xda app
I'm in the same place as you. One of my main reasons for using custom ROMs was because I loved the look of AOSP. Now I have AOSP, I'm less tempted to flash anything or root, because everything works and looks good.
stankyou said:
As soon as I unlock the bootloader, my data is wiped. Maybe you used toolkits and such like what the other guy said and had that option to save stuff. As for me I prefer command lines as much as possible.
via xda app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guide stickied in this forum has a how-to on ADB Backups.
Perform the backup as outlined and unlock...
Restore as outlined and it's as though nothing ever happened...all data restored.
Well, had the Evo V before this and I rooted/modded it to look/run like this phone runs out of the box so I don't plan on rooting at all.
Sent from my Nexus 4
joshnichols189 said:
While I respect all of your decisions to hold off on rooting, I will recommend that even if you don't root, unlock your boot loader ASAP because as mentioned above, your data IS wiped when you do so and it is necessary to do so if you ever decide to root in the future.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will unlocking Bootloader mean apps that don't work on Root phones stop functioning?
No unlocked DOES NOT equal root
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

to root or not to root

GF bought me a N7 for xmas (love abbreviations) and it was to upgrade from a kindle fire from previous.
I of course rooted the KF in about 5 minutes and its been running full android since first boot but with my N7 I almost feel I dont have to root for some reason. My NS phone is of course rooted but after setting up the N7 its almost so functional after that it seems to much work since rooting will wipe the device.
Anyway if you guys were in my position would you root or no?
If you need/use apps, that need root, yes you should ^^ if not, IMHO you don't need to, for me and my use (gaming, chatting, browsing, celebrating, xdaing) stock is very comfortable and nice.
It really depends on how you want to use it ^^ test stock for a few days and decide after testing
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I didn't due to not having my laptop at time of purchase. While all is well and I don't need root for anything I have been thinking about rooting just because its a nexus and knowing I haven't modded it in the least is starting to semi bother me. However now I only have 8GB free on a 32GB version and really don't want to lose all my data. So I'd recommend it so you don't regret not doing it down the road.
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95Z28 said:
I didn't due to not having my laptop at time of purchase. While all is well and I don't need root for anything I have been thinking about rooting just because its a nexus and knowing I havuse en't modded it in the least is starting to semi bother me. However now I only have 8GB free on a 32GB version and really don't want to lose all my data. So I'd recommend it so you don't regret not doing it down the road.
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Click to collapse
I don't think rooting will wipe SD. It will wipe os. I just went to install button savior and saw it needed too so I'm pretty much decided. I turned on backup through google so hopefully when i root i can just use Google to restore my data for me and just use apex to restore may desktop
tevil said:
GF bought me a N7 for xmas (love abbreviations) and it was to upgrade from a kindle fire from previous.
I of course rooted the KF in about 5 minutes and its been running full android since first boot but with my N7 I almost feel I dont have to root for some reason. My NS phone is of course rooted but after setting up the N7 its almost so functional after that it seems to much work since rooting will wipe the device.
Anyway if you guys were in my position would you root or no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would at least unlock the bootloader since it will wipe your tab completely. Then later on if you want to root you won't need to unlock it.
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I got mine for christmas too. Rooted it on the same evening and it's a total different experience. Try flashing Paranoid Android and use Action Launcher. It's the ultimate tablet experience for me because both ROM and Launcher use the 7" display the best.
I root because I know I'm going to need root apps even if I don't feel like using a custom ROM.
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I really think there is no reason to root. Stock on the n7 is flawless IMO. I rooted mine just to familiarize myself with the manual process but I have no intention of changing anything. I even got rid of custom recovery and re locked my bootloader.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
root
I would root for the access
tevil said:
GF bought me a N7 for xmas (love abbreviations) and it was to upgrade from a kindle fire from previous.
I of course rooted the KF in about 5 minutes and its been running full android since first boot but with my N7 I almost feel I dont have to root for some reason. My NS phone is of course rooted but after setting up the N7 its almost so functional after that it seems to much work since rooting will wipe the device.
Anyway if you guys were in my position would you root or no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Always ROOT.
I would root my electric toothbrush if I could.
tevil said:
I don't think rooting will wipe SD. It will wipe os. I just went to install button savior and saw it needed too so I'm pretty much decided. I turned on backup through google so hopefully when i root i can just use Google to restore my data for me and just use apex to restore may desktop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your right, I just mean in my case since I didn't unlock bootloader or anything in order to obtain root I would lose all my data. But actually just the rooting part shouldn't wipe anything.
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