[Q] Is rooting worth it for just thumb drive access? - Nexus 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I love my new Nexus 7. I got the 32gb model, and I admit that I haven't come close to filling it up... yet. I like putting TV shows and movies on my device when I travel though, and from my experience with my 32gb iPad, I'm pretty sure I'll fill it up eventually.
It has crossed my mind to root the N7 in order to use Stickmount along with my OTG cable and thumb drive. I'm not sure it's worth rooting just for extra media storage though. There's another app called Nexus Media Importer, but I don't know if it can read and play all my media types (and I'm reluctant to spend the $2.99 for it until I know if it can or not).
Anyone have an opinion on this? Or perhaps some experience with this? If I do choose to root, would you recommend the WUG Toolkit or the N7 Toolkit?
Thanks!

Nexus media importer will allow you to stream from the storage and copy to the N7. I used Wugs to root and had problems getting the drivers installed properly. Once that was completed, rooting was easy. I prefer stickmount for its read/write capability.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Only reason I rooted mine was for OTG storage.
Now I think Tasker has a few functions that need root access.

Adaway is another awesome reason to root, you will find more reasons to be rooted as you go along I recommend rooting as soon as you get the device then you don't have to worry about losing your data
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Related

I actually need more storage

So when I first got the xoom I was not too concerned with getting more storage so the whole SD card issue was moot. But now I have been ripping my DVDs into mp4 format and I have basically used up all my internal storage with about a dozen movies. I wonder when Motorola might grace us with an official patch to add SD functionality. I don't want to root my device.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
Apparently, there's one other way to add more storage, but you're not gonna like it.
Inside the xoom is a mini pci-ex slot that could, theoretically, hold another small hard drive. This is still in the planning phase though, and ofc it means disassembly of your xoom. Considering the fact that you don't want to root, I'm gonna guess disassembly is going to be out of the question.
As far as rooting... why don't you want to do that? Yes, I know it's scary to root, but I've never talked to anyone who has regretted rooting their device. The additional features, working sd card and overclocking ability are worth the small amount of hassle it takes to get rooted.
nubsors said:
So when I first got the xoom I was not too concerned with getting more storage so the whole SD card issue was moot. But now I have been ripping my DVDs into mp4 format and I have basically used up all my internal storage with about a dozen movies. I wonder when Motorola might grace us with an official patch to add SD functionality. I don't want to root my device.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might be better served with some sort of personal cloud device that you can stream from.
How about deleting a movie after you have watched it.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
Why don't you buy an OTG cable and get a UsB powered hard drive. You can put all your movies and view them that way.
gqstatus0685 said:
Why don't you buy an OTG cable and get a UsB powered hard drive. You can put all your movies and view them that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I second this option.

Need to know before unlocking/rooting...

Posting this in the Q/A since I have a "Q"uestion.
I am hoping to expect to receive my 16gig this week since I ordered on July 13th.
So I have a question. Before I go and unlock/root is there any steps I need to take prior to doing so?
For example, there was something with the original EVO 4g where we had to back up the original, if I am not mistaken, so we would retain the 4g keys in case anything got borked.
So, not sure if there is something I need to do before I go ahead and unlock/root my Nexus when it comes in.
And, if there is any suggestions/advice on which ROM to install once I unlock/root?
Thinking I am gonna go the JR5/Paulobrien route since it seems to be the most favorable and also seems to have the built in flash support.
One other thing.
In regards to memory issues. I plan on having many apps/games installed. Got my stand ordered and plan to hook up my PS3 controller for gaming on the stand when I can. What is the most suggested route for extra memory at this point? I see comments about OTG and what not. Do I go flash drive, do I go Micro or SD card?
I appreciate any help/advice/suggestions to get me pointed in the right direction in preparing for my Nexus 7,
Whiteice
WhiteiceDMSTech said:
What is the most suggested route for extra memory at this point? I see comments about OTG and what not. Do I go flash drive, do I go Micro or SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am waiting for my device too. I will buy the cheapest but fast enough 64gb stick available.
WhiteiceDMSTech said:
Posting this in the Q/A since I have a "Q"uestion.
I am hoping to expect to receive my 16gig this week since I ordered on July 13th.
So I have a question. Before I go and unlock/root is there any steps I need to take prior to doing so?
For example, there was something with the original EVO 4g where we had to back up the original, if I am not mistaken, so we would retain the 4g keys in case anything got borked.
So, not sure if there is something I need to do before I go ahead and unlock/root my Nexus when it comes in.
And, if there is any suggestions/advice on which ROM to install once I unlock/root?
Thinking I am gonna go the JR5/Paulobrien route since it seems to be the most favorable and also seems to have the built in flash support.
One other thing.
In regards to memory issues. I plan on having many apps/games installed. Got my stand ordered and plan to hook up my PS3 controller for gaming on the stand when I can. What is the most suggested route for extra memory at this point? I see comments about OTG and what not. Do I go flash drive, do I go Micro or SD card?
I appreciate any help/advice/suggestions to get me pointed in the right direction in preparing for my Nexus 7,
Whiteice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would recommend that you have your device updated to the very latest release of android (4.1.1). Also make sure you have Android SDK installed with adb installed.
As far as roms go, I would wait till cm10 becomes available for the nexus 7. If you play around with the stock rom, it is really good. Its very smooth and I have not had any lag problems what so ever. I am very happy with the stock rom.
I have not tried this because I do not have the right cable, but the route that I would go with the extra storage is an otg cable that can connect to a flash drive or small external hard drive. These will have a lot more room than a typical sd card. You are probably not going to have to worry about storage if you are getting the 16gig model. I have the 16gb model and I am only half full of using all my space. But I can see where it would be cool to just load up a bunch of blu ray movies on an external hard drive and watch off that. Please pm me if you have any more questions.
Yes, I do have a nexus 7 and it is both unlocked and rooted
WhiteiceDMSTech said:
In regards to memory issues. I plan on having many apps/games installed. Got my stand ordered and plan to hook up my PS3 controller for gaming on the stand when I can. What is the most suggested route for extra memory at this point? I see comments about OTG and what not. Do I go flash drive, do I go Micro or SD card?
I appreciate any help/advice/suggestions to get me pointed in the right direction in preparing for my Nexus 7,
Whiteice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think the type of storage media matters. I assume you'd need a USB hub to allow the PS3 controller and storage media to plug in to your N7. A flash drive will plug straight into the OTG cable/USB hub, otherwise a card would need a reader. The main thing will be access speeds for reads and writes, so buy the media with the highest speeds vs cost your budget allows.

Can I increase storage of my Nexus 7 tablet?

Hi XDA'ians
I recently got my nexus 7 8GB (couldn't get the 16 GB since price diff was high in here) . Anyways I seem to feel like nexus 7 has less space, 6 GB for user usage. Currently I got only 800 MB free .
My question is there any way to increase storage of nexus 7 tabs?
You're a big boy im sure you figure out the answer to that or maybe just use search.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
Search for info about USB-OTG and use that with something like a USB flash drive.
Thanks shook187, well little search made me realize that I can use OTG cable and pendrive . though android will detect the pen drive and map it where?
I'm fairly new to android and nexus 7 , so please easy on me guyz. Thanks
The device uses something like 2gb for system files and stuff like that, so effectively you would have about 6gb of storage.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Beamon said:
Thanks shook187, well little search made me realize that I can use OTG cable and pendrive . though android will detect the pen drive and map it where?
I'm fairly new to android and nexus 7 , so please easy on me guyz. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need to unlock and root your device, which you want to do anyway if you haven't already done it, and then you can use the OTG adapter and a USB flash memory drive or external hard drive, with the help of a near little app called "Stickmount"
Don't worry, you're in the right place to ask questions and many of us remember what it was like to be new to Android.
Once you get it setup, you will use an app like root explorer, and browse to the sdcard/usbStorage/xxxx directory and it will be just like opening a folder or mapped drive on your computer.
Feel free to send me a private message if you would like and I'll help you out, and we can also chat on gtalk in real time. I help a lot of people get started that are new to Android, and I remember how overwhelming it can be.
You can purchase "Nexus Media Importer" in the play store for $1.99, it's like stick mount but does not require root. I currently use it and I love it!
Sent from my Black "Destroy Mode" Nexus 7

[Q] Nexus 7 Rooting Question concerning Wallet and Video

Hi,
I haven't rooted my Nexus 7 yet, but I have had this device for couple of months and it has been great for me.
Before I make a decision to root, I wanted to make sure if Google Video or Google Wallet will still work after rooting. I vaguely remember reading that these two features might not work on the rooted device. If this is true, is there any way to get these features to work after rooting?
Also, is there any way to root the device without wiping the device? I have spend quite some time setting my device up and if there is any way to root without deleting the current set up and apps, it would be great. Thank you in advance for the help.
Hello,
I believe wallet works but it warns u at first startup that it's not supported anymore.
Google video will not play DRM protected stuff but still works.
Hope this helps...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Google wallet works fine i never even had the message about unsupported because of root, but when i open it now says ive gotta update wallet. Meh no free credit left and to much Hassel to update in the uk
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
On stock-rooted Nexus 7, Google Wallet definitely works after updating it. Got my $10 credit. I can play the Transformer movie that came with the N7, but haven't tried any other movies. I have read some from books and magazines, but don't know if they are drm'd.

Stay Stock? Gotta Root?

Not an N7 owner yet - it's on my xMas list. Santa's gotta come through for me.
As a GNex owner, rooting my phone was a no-brainer. I got sick of VZW's bloatware and VZW is miserably slow on pushing out updates. I am not a crack-flasher - I am happy to stay with a specific ROM/kernel that works.
I was wondering if most N7 owners had the same sentiment as most of us GNex'ers - stock is just not acceptable - gotta root.
Or, is stock somehow more acceptable on the N7?
The Stock Rom on the N7 is good but I rooted mine because i use some apps that need root and i use a custom kernel. I think it's not necessary but if you don't use Google+ Currents and so on, you can save some space by deleting them with root. But why don't you wait for yours and see if you like it or not ? Rooting is very easy so there should be no problem in doing it
Root, allows you to use OTG to store huge apps on Flash drive instead of eating so pace and backup with titanium backup!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I stayed stock. It's perfect for my use, and it replaces my laptop, so: no data loss allowed, no sod's, and no screwed flashing which requires a full wipe... I don't want to do the same as on my gnex ^^ at least one device that runs normal ^^
Like I said, stock is very nice, even though 4.2 made it a bit different. ( others report, got mine for a few days)
Battery life is nice, performance is awesome (sometimes I just open and close the drawer, open apps and close them, just to see how beautiful the transitions are ) and I have nothing to nag on... I recommend you to try stock for a few days and decide yourself if you need root, or a custom kernel etc. ^^
And if you say you want to root for like 50%, then I would unlock the bootloader before setting everything up
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I've rooted every single Android phone that I've owned. With that said, I have felt no need to root my Nexus7 and I've had it since July. OTG can be used as read-only with an app, no root required.
I'm running the stock android but it's rooted of course. The stock android nets me around 14-20 hours on a full charge. That using chrome to search the net and playing YouTube videos.
Plan on staying with the stock android with root access.
Sent from my Nexus 7
schism70 said:
I've rooted every single Android phone that I've owned. With that said, I have felt no need to root my Nexus7 and I've had it since July. OTG can be used as read-only with an app, no root required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Requires root to use bind directory to play games straight from flash drives.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Thanks for the feedback so far. I figured that the stock/root decision is a personal one that a person makes after they try out the N7, but still it's interesting to see what decisions you folks make, and why.
I'm in a similar situation as I'll be getting mine in a few days.
All I plan on doing is rooting right away, just so I can get rid of some of the bloatware, and then I've always got the option to chuck on a custom ROM/kernel if I don't like the stock feeling of it.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Thanks again for the input!
I've rooted but am otherwise on stock. I had game progress and stiff that I wanted to port over. I don't plan on flashing a custom ROM. I really like the stock JB, so for now I'm perfectly happy running rooted stock.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda app-developers app
schism70 said:
I've rooted every single Android phone that I've owned. With that said, I have felt no need to root my Nexus7 and I've had it since July. OTG can be used as read-only with an app, no root required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. I don't see the point.

Categories

Resources