Database Users

[Q] Any advantages to rooting on 3.1?

Hey everyone, I just recieved my TF today. As a die hard fan of android I've rooted every single device I have owned. However, after reading through many threads I noted that the only way to root to 3.1 is to root while still on 3.01 then flash a rom thats 3.1, one big reason I like to root is custom roms and custom kernals. seeing that there is no custom kernals out for 3.1 and very limited 3.1 roms I wonder if there really is any advantage to rooting and then flashing to 3.1? I'm still on stock and the only thing that's stopping me from updating OTA is the fact that it seems that a lot of others is having problems downgrading to 3.01 in order to root. So my question is should I root or just update to 3.1?

I kinda feel the same. I'll root the **** out of any phone but I don't know about a tablet.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

to be able to use adb over wifi is reason enough for me to root

I rooted my Dinc to:
Remove crapware
Use custom ROMs that provided great features not available stock
Access wifi tethering
Disable those damn LEDs when I'm reading at night
The only thing that looks comparable to the Xfrmr would be crapware, but I'd only remove an app or two. Not much.
Consequently, I've not found a compelling reason to root yet either. Now if Cyanogen was to develop a Honeycomb ROM I'd have to reconsider.

I would have to agree with you guys. I have yet to root my tablet because I don't think I would gain much. Sure, I could remove a few apps I don't use, but really, they aren't causing me any issues yet.
I am happy remaining stock unless something comes along that gives me reason. I root my phones for custom roms and tethering, but that's it.

nebrando said:
I would have to agree with you guys. I have yet to root my tablet because I don't think I would gain much. Sure, I could remove a few apps I don't use, but really, they aren't causing me any issues yet.
I am happy remaining stock unless something comes along that gives me reason. I root my phones for custom roms and tethering, but that's it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
those are the same reasons i root too, so did you guys update to 3.1 OTA or are you still on 3.01?

I'm on 3.1 and rooted, didn't even consider not doing I'd feel crippled without:
Native samba server,
Wireless ADB,
Removing the ASUS junk apps
Busybox
Ability to install Android Movie studio
Titanium backup
And the second Kernel source comes out
cifs mount in kernel

Should i modify it?

Hi, i'm a little bit scared about modifying it. Is there a real big difference in performance between the stock rom and a custom with a kernel at stock frequencies? And i've seen a lot of methods about unlocking/rooting it, but i am scared if i brick it... Is there a 100% safe method to unlock and root it? And i've heard about a problem with the buggy stock recovery, will i have this problem if i flash cwm?
Sorry for the huge number of questions and for my bad english
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Personally I found that there is not a great deal of difference between stock ROM and many of the custom ROMs out there. For me it is more to do with having the freedom to get tore into the tablet.
There is never a 100% guarantee that yo won't mess up when rooting and installing custom software, however the vast majority of users on here have managed to do it safely with the tools available.
If you are going down the path of rooting and customs, may I suggest you give the team EOS ROM a try coupled with Franco kernel. They work together like a dream. Also paranoid android ROM for something different . Though I found it to be a little slow for my liking.
Finally clemsyns elite kernel if you want crazy performance, but it does eat the battery
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Rooting is quite painless and reasonably safe if you follow the directions closely. The one click rooting methods, elsewhere in this forum...work well.
Myself, I prefer the stock rom. The custom roms might offer better performance, but can be buggy at times. although. I do switch back and forth to try them out. Remember, these roms
are all works in progress, so do not be surprised if something does not work the way you think
it should.

Thanks for the answers. I'm thinking about only rooting it. Will i receive the ota for a new update?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

As long as you keep the stock recovery you can keep doing ota updates
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

In my experience, OTA never worked to well.. but there are ways around it, for example... backing up your apps, then load a fresh updated factory image. then just restore your apps..
Titanium backup is one such app, but there are others .

So far no matter what I try I cant brick it oh I can get it stuck but theres always a way to fix it. And like some others here I have tried I believe every ROM out there. Not one really stands out "different" for ME then any other. Nexus root toolkit is by far the easiest to use for me. If your into battery life so far Stock wins hands down.

Unlocking and rooting the Nexus is really simple and pretty much foolproof. I'll admit there isn't that much of a difference between stock and custom ROMs because the N7 with JB is already a beast. I just like custom ROMs because you have the ability to make it faster if you want to (I have my CPU over clocked by 500 MHz and my GPU over clocked by 300 MHz thanks to clemsyn's elite kernel) the only reasons why I wanted to put a custom ROM on this was because I missed the 3 in 1 shutdown menu and the ability to remove the notification shae toggles, other than that I don't mess with much because JB is already buttery smooth. Gone are the days when you have to root, OC and install custom ROMs just to get good performance out of your device like I had to do with the OG droid.

I would definitely at least root the device for the time being. Aside from some customization options in a few custom ROMs I actually really enjoy stock on my N7... I would also take a look at ... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1905961 once you have it all ready to go... I found it made an improvement to my Wifi and GPS by a fair bit, no custom rom needed.

[Q] Just got my Nexus 10, first steps?

I just got my Nexus 10 and haven't even turned it on yet. Giving it a nice charge.
So what's the first steps?
With my Galaxy Nexus, the very first thing I did was unlock the bootloader because anyway it wipes the device. Then I rooted it. And then I went along my jolly way. Eventually, months down the line, I installed Bugless Beast.
So what about this tablet? Turn on and unlock bootloader then root? Or do I want to get an OTA first in case it's on 4.2 and needs 4.2.1?
Anything else someone new to the Nexus 10 should know about?
By the way, I choose stability over experimental features. Hence, Bugless Beast on my GNex instead of some of the more feature-filled (but less stable) ROMs.
Thanks for you help!

turn it on --> get your update(s) to 4.2.1 --> unlock bootloader --> root --> install adaway and just leave it. the stock rom is great but i can't live without an adblocker. otherwise just give the developers time, as i said before, the stock rom is great

renna1992 said:
turn it on --> get your update(s) to 4.2.1 --> unlock bootloader --> root --> install adaway and just leave it. the stock rom is great but i can't live without an adblocker. otherwise just give the developers time, as i said before, the stock rom is great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what I did

I prefer ROM Toolbox Pro for add blocking many other features that a rooted user will appreciate. I have the pro ver.
ROM Toolbox Lite (free version)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrummy.liberty.toolbox
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

Thanks guys. I'll do exactly that.
I hope we reach the point where ROMs are more stable and less experimental for the Nexus 10.
@jjdevega, Since I like to compartmentalize my tools (I already have a favorite ad blocker, file explorer, titanium backup, etc), ROM toolbox is less useful for me. Thanks for the suggestion though.

I'd recommend just keeping the bootloader unlocked
I like my device to either be completely stock, or custom. Leaving the bootloader unlocked on a stock, non-rooted ROM bothered me quite a bit lol (not sure why; I mean I know leaving the bootloader unlocked doesn't really do anything, but still...), and I would go between custom ROM's and stock a lot, locking and unlocking the bootloader each time too.

Yea, I was planning on leaving it unlocked. Unless I need to return the tablet for warranty purposes, there's no reason to re-lock the bootloader.
Well, actually there are security implications regarding unlocked bootloaders. That's actually why unlocking wipes your device, so that an outsider can't bypass security by unlocking the bootloader and then getting whatever information he/she wants.

Understanding rooting in my brand new Nexus 4

Hi friends.
I just bought an Nexus 4, I always had iPhones and this is my first Android phone!
So, I am loving it but I am getting really annoyed with this whites that are not really whites!
I found in another threads (yes, I used the search a lot) that the screen can be calibrated by using the "Faux123 Kernel Enhancement Pro" app in a rooted phone. I also found this wonderful thread with a tutorial about how to root the phone.
My questions are:
- In this tutorial it shows how to flash the stock Android. In this spreadshet I found some configurations, but also saw a lot of people using "Faux" kernel. Why I would use this other kernel? Can I just use the stock one?
- After rooting the phone, if an update shows in my phone can I just update it?
- Is makes a difference if my phone have a difference revision (like being produced in January and not in October)?
I appreciate the help!

F0rB1z0n said:
Hi friends.
I just bought an Nexus 4, I always had iPhones and this is my first Android phone!
So, I am loving it but I am getting really annoyed with this whites that are not really whites!
I found in another threads (yes, I used the search a lot) that the screen can be calibrated by using the "Faux123 Kernel Enhancement Pro" app in a rooted phone. I also found this wonderful thread with a tutorial about how to root the phone.
My questions are:
- In this tutorial it shows how to flash the stock Android. In this spreadshet I found some configurations, but also saw a lot of people using "Faux" kernel. Why I would use this other kernel? Can I just use the stock one?
- After rooting the phone, if an update shows in my phone can I just update it?
- Is makes a difference if my phone have a difference revision (like being produced in January and not in October)?
I appreciate the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. as far as I know you can't configure the colors using the stock kernel.
2. as long as you're in stock kernel you should be able to update it OTA. (I think)
3. I guess not. I mean some rev_10 users here says that their phone isn't having any major issues while some rev_10 users does. same thing with rev_11.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

My suggestion is to take it slow, and don't root your phone unless if you have a legitimate reason for doing it. I have a Nexus 4 that's rooted because I wanted the CM10 quick setting panel, but my Nexus 7 is not rooted because I don't use any apps that require root on it. My first android phone was the I9000, and I had to root it because I needed to use Titanium Backup - the first few updates released by Samsung does a full wipe, so TB is a must have to backup app data.
Root is Android's equivalent of Window's Administrator User. It allows you to do things that a normal user account cannot do (hence Super User). To root your phone, you must unlock your bootloader first. Note that this is not the same as unlocking an iPhone. As a security feature, unlocking your bootloader will wipe everything on your phone, apps, photo, videos, music, younameit. Read the sticky guide on how to backup your phone before unlocking the bootloader.
1) Kernel is the interface between the software and the hardware. It's a bit like the drivers on the computer. Some kernels offer extra functionality, for example overclocking and undervolting. Again, if you don't need the extra functionality, you may as well stay with the stock kernel.
2) Updating OTA might remove root, but it won't lock your bootloader again. There are ways to retain root after an OTA update. I have no idea which thread the relevant information can be found, but the next time Google release another OTA, the threads will resurface again.
3) No difference.

You don't need a custom kernel to play with the colours ....
I'm on stock ROM and kernel and use faux clock app to change screen settings
Just requires root
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

italia0101 said:
You don't need a custom kernel to play with the colours ....
I'm on stock ROM and kernel and use faux clock app to change screen settings
Just requires root
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for correcting. I wasn't sure.

Should I root my nexus 7

So I'm kinda in between if I want to root my nexus 7. I have rooted a lot of phones before but that was all just to get stock android. Seen as how this is stock already I can't seem to find a good reason beside putting Ubuntu on my nexus. Can someone tell me there exprinces with having a rooted nexus 7 and what the advantages are besides root apps and the such.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

In all honesty I have had my nexus for a couple of months now and I find no need to root it. It gets updated with the latest firmware and I notice little to no glitches or mistakes with the stock build. If I were to root it them I'd only do it so I can over clock.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

AW: Should I root my nexus 7
I also think about rooting mine. My only reason is Adaway.
Heard about unrooting/unlocking in case of waranty. So whats holding me?
I'm just satisfied with my N7. I also own a TF-201. Stock it was horrible laggy. Tried some custom-roms and it felt like a new, faster device.
My stock/unrooted N7 is even better. Atm I don't really care about it...however, someday I'm gonna root it and try multiboot/ubuntu and so on.
So it's up to you. But rooting is always an advantage. Why should i have a device without all permissions?

I'm also a stock Android fan, but I just rooted my N7, mainly because I need titanium backup on all of my devices. And now the adaway is gone I still have my backup and really enjoyed this.
Sent from my Nexus 7

The biggest reason to not root your device is that you'll be voiding your warrant.
And as ixemerix said above, "But rooting is always an advantage. Why should i have a device without all permissions?".
You should therefore consider the advantage of rooting against your warranty. If you ever need it repaired (and you're still able to flash the device), just "unroot" it, lock the bootloader to remove the "unlock"-icon (you'll get that icon when rooted).
Some advantages, in a break-down-module :
Better overall performance
Underclock/Overclock (I do overclocked mine but some might for games, I presume)
Greatly increase the battery life, especially standby time
Hacking and modding (such as filming in 720p, adding performance tweaks e.g. in initd and buildprop, themes etc.)

Root it because its a nexus device
Sent from a Galaxy far away!!

QNBT said:
The biggest reason to not root your device is that you'll be voiding your warrant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can always unroot and relock the bootloader.

marsyeti said:
I'm also a stock Android fan, but I just rooted my N7, mainly because I need titanium backup on all of my devices. And now the adaway is gone I still have my backup and really enjoyed this.
Sent from my Nexus 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can still get adaway if you install fdroid. It's a repository for open-source apps. Fdroid will notify you when new versions of adaway are available, and you can use fdroid to install it, in a similar way to the play store.

I think ROOTING is always a good idea... it confers unfettered access to the O/S, and provides considerable benefits... such as, for example --
-- Disabling SCREEN DIMMER/PRISM (eradicates screen flicker).
-- Allows the running of the app LagFix (eradicates lag).
-- Allows the running of the app AdAway (eradicates unwanted advertisments).
You can also run many more diagnostic commands in Terminal Emulater, than otherwise... and several fixes also (either directly, or automated, using ScriptManager).
And finally, you can directly access /system with a ROOT capable file manager like X-Plore, and inspect all kinds of interesting stuff (...and maybe even modify some stuff... if you're feeling brave - it's not without risk!!!!).
All of which confers a fundamentally better understanding of what your Nexus 7 is up to!
If you want to understand Android, as well as to use it, to it's fullest potential - you need ROOT.
Personally, I couldn't envisage using any Android box, today, without ROOT.
---------------------
ON THE ADAWAY ISSUE...
AdAway and other Advert blocking apps were recently 'pulled' from Google Play Store as being in “Violation of section 4.4 of the Developer Distribution Agreement."... (a ridiculous decision, IMHO, but not entirely unexpected.).
See here for more details...
http://f-droid.org/forums/topic/adaway-and-other-ad-blocker-removed-from-google-play
http://techcrunch.com/2013/03/13/go...or-violating-developer-distribution-agreement
---------------------
But you can still install AdAway from the F-Droid repository, using the sideloaded app, available here http://f-droid.org... it provides a FULLY OPEN SOURCE alternative to PlayStore, in which you can install the latest version of AdaWay, and sundry other apps.
You will of course, need ROOT to run AdaWay.
...and runs great on my Nexus 7...
---------------------
Rgrds,
Ged.

I want 5cents everytime someone tell me rooting void warranty, ESPECIALLY on a Nexus device.

AW: Should I root my nexus 7
And if I get a hardware-defect, unable to unroot? Will they still repair it under waranty?

I waited a few months before rooting my nexus 7, so I could first learn about android a bit. I already had experience in rooting other devices, and missing some nice rooting features on my tablet I decided to root it.
It's totally worth it, for example:
- Ad Blocker (ad block plus without root didn't do it for me),
- Titanium Backup (can't do without it anymore),
- Hiding the navigation bar + LMT launcher (I always hated the navigation bar; my main reason for rooting)
- Stickmount (best way to mount USB sticks or hard drives with an OTG cable)
- Custom Kernel (using Timur's USB host kernel)
TWRP recovery is worth it, because:
- Nandroid backup (easy restoring of backups)
- Easy installation of custom roms, although I'm using stock.
You can always go back to stock with locked bootloader, if necessary for warranty.

Root it! Loads of advantages and if you do it probably then it is completely safe.
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda app-developers app

ucf15 said:
You can still get adaway if you install fdroid. It's a repository for open-source apps. Fdroid will notify you when new versions of adaway are available, and you can use fdroid to install it, in a similar way to the play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for that suggestion about f droid. I don't know how I wasn't aware of that, but it's a nice find since ad blocking apps have been removed from the Play Store.

I always root everything i have...i suggest you do the same ....you have access to a lot of stuff...and the variety of roms and kernelsyou can flash
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Westervoort said:
I waited a few months before rooting my nexus 7, so I could first learn about android a bit. I already had experience in rooting other devices, and missing some nice rooting features on my tablet I decided to root it.
It's totally worth it, for example:
- Ad Blocker (ad block plus without root didn't do it for me),
- Titanium Backup (can't do without it anymore),
- Hiding the navigation bar + LMT launcher (I always hated the navigation bar; my main reason for rooting)
- Stickmount (best way to mount USB sticks or hard drives with an OTG cable)
- Custom Kernel (using Timur's USB host kernel)
TWRP recovery is worth it, because:
- Nandroid backup (easy restoring of backups)
- Easy installation of custom roms, although I'm using stock.
You can always go back to stock with locked bootloader, if necessary for warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please add references how to root the device (Nexus 7)?

YoramZa said:
Can you please add references how to root the device (Nexus 7)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Too complicated for you to read the hundred threads already on this subject?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

Pirateghost said:
Too complicated for you to read the hundred threads already on this subject?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't need hundred threads just one good thread. Probably for you it's easier to lecture than help.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 08:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:33 PM ----------
Pirateghost said:
Too complicated for you to read the hundred threads already on this subject?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since English is not my mother tongue I can't handle hundred threads.
I will appreciate if you can recommend a good one.
I have read some but couldn't understand how to do it.
I have rooted 3 Samsung devices very easy (s1 s2 note2) but the nexus is different
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

I'm also in the boat of having been unrooted for months.. BUT... I finally decided I needed some ad-blocking.
SOOOO... my one remaining question is how far the rooting path can I go and still be able to get OTA updates? (other than having root, I am happy enough with stock).
- can I get OTA if I just root ? (I think the answer is yes, but I may need to install rootkeeper before I OTA)
- can I get OTA if I also install custom recovery (I think the answer is no)
thanks!

If i root my nexus will my apps still work? Or does rooting disable them?