Understanding rooting in my brand new Nexus 4 - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

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.

Related

[Q] Would rooting/installing custom rom improve Nexus7?

I recently rooted and installed a custom rom on my phone and noticed huge improvements. Noticed my nexus was lagging on things that I would think shouldn't be that taxing on the device. Thought the OTA update to 4.2 would help but it didn't. Would rooting it get rid of that lag or is it just a nexus thing?
sourshin said:
I recently rooted and installed a custom rom on my phone and noticed huge improvements. Noticed my nexus was lagging on things that I would think shouldn't be that taxing on the device. Thought the OTA update to 4.2 would help but it didn't. Would rooting it get rid of that lag or is it just a nexus thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally because of the big change over from 4.1 to 4.2 i decided to go back to stock for awhile and wait for the bugs to be sorted.
Re-unlocked and rooted, flashed faux kernel and is the best experience i have had to date. Meaning the least lag. Stock and custom kernel. Just unlock - root and then flash kernel. :good:
Not a detailed description but if you need further advice just say so......Just means unlocking installing CWM and SU...Then flash kernel of choice. recommend faux..
I've tried out a rooted nexus 7 and to be honest didn't see a huge improvement so I've decided to wait until Key Lime Pie comes out and see if they sort out the bugs otherwise I will root.
Kind of discouraging
root doesnt automagically improve the devices performance, its what YOU do with root access. oh, and what lag? not the tiniest bit of lag on my device. custom rom/kernel, and some optimizations. couldnt be happier. btw, mostly whatl root does is let you use root apps. you dont need root to flash custom roms/kernels. but you do need an unlocked bootloader. with root, you can control that rom/kernel, get to the devices main file system, change whatever you want, and otherwise be in complete control of your device.
I get my nexus 7 today, after a hour I rooted it, just for ad block plus and the ability to customize the navbar. Love root.
Blixz said:
I've tried out a rooted nexus 7 and to be honest didn't see a huge improvement so I've decided to wait until Key Lime Pie comes out and see if they sort out the bugs otherwise I will root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There will most likely be more updates to 4.2 before Android 5.0 comes out.
I personally think it does make it better. It all really matters how you use your tablet and what you put in it like the Kernel you install. Roms it really doesn't matter really what you get but I have always been a big fan for CM since first getting the G1, nexus one, the HTC G2/Desire z and it has always been the fastest rom for me.
Sent on my rocken Nexus 7
simms22 said:
root doesnt automagically improve the devices performance, its what YOU do with root access. oh, and what lag? not the tiniest bit of lag on my device. custom rom/kernel, and some optimizations. couldnt be happier. btw, mostly whatl root does is let you use root apps. you dont need root to flash custom roms/kernels. but you do need an unlocked bootloader. with root, you can control that rom/kernel, get to the devices main file system, change whatever you want, and otherwise be in complete control of your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had thought you needed SU access in order to flash a custom rom. Or is that just to use CWM which needs SU? Anyways if you unlock you must as well root it.....yes....!
Yeah as a few people have already said root alone will do mouthing for performance faux kernel, as far as I'm concerned, is a great addition to this great tablet.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
I actually get a lot of performance lag. Might be from alot of email sync but still it shouldn't have a half second delay after lock screen and moving between screens etc.
And I thought I would need to root to get my bootloader unlocked? I'm sure it's easier for the nexus than my HTC One X. Which was kind of a pain.
Yes using different roms and or kernels will make a massive difference to performance and or battery life but thats determined by which kernels and roms you use some are built for speed others for battery. If you had searched the forum you would have found this :silly:
Root will break some apps.
Just wanted to mention that unlocking your bootloader and rooting will break a few apps for the Nexus 7. I was all gung-ho to root my Nexus the first week I had it. Then I discovered I could no longer stream cable tv to it with Time Warner Cables app. Google Wallet also wouldn't let me link any cards to it's app while rooted or with an unlocked bootloader. A quick skim of the forum shows that rooting breaks streaming functionality on other subscription video apps as well. Depending on how you use your tablet, this might not matter to you. I ended up going back to stock for now, just because I wanted to use these apps. There is probably workaround, but I just didn't want the extra work....around. I think the Nexus 7 ultimate toolkit might let you gain temp root, I don't remember for sure tho.
Rooting will not effect performance at all. Your just gaining access to the root directory. It's what you do after that effects performance. Also just rooting does not effect the wallet app at all, this is wrong information. Wallet does a root check for security purposes and will show "unsupported device" within the app after rooting. Ignore that, it is just a root notification. Cards add correctly and it functions correctly. I can't speak on the other apps mentioned, but ill take a stab in the dark and start at user error
Custom roms will definitely increase performance. Stock 4.2.1 is a bit laggy, I recommend flashing liquidsmooth and see the difference!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
I stream movies using Flixster with my rooted N7. It's simple if you are rooted with Supersu. I go to settings in the Supersu app and uncheck Enable Superuser. After I finish streaming, I go back and enable it again.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

Just got mine,.. What should I do to it

I wanna get the best gaming performance out of this tablet... Also looking into themes as well...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
1) Read a ton of posts here in all the subforums for the Nexus 7.
2) Read a lot more, then actually put some of the newfound knowledge
3) ?!?!?!?!
4) PROFIT!!!
Basically, you need to do a lot of research and figure out what you want to do with the device which is quite capable indeed, but nobody can decide what you are looking to do except you.
Unlock the bootloader first. And root it?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I would say unlock the bootloader but leave it pure stock (but rooted) for a while... how else will you know if modding it actually does anything meaningful unless you have a familiar baseline to compare (future) mods against?
The point of doing the unlock early is so you won't be wiping a heavily customized ROM in a week or two just to get the bootloader unlocked.
If you have already spent time customizing and want backups of apps & data before the reset (& b4 rooting), look into the Carbon backup app.
After the factory reset happens, make a full Nandroid backup of the 100% stock ROM and get a copy of it OFF the device. You may want it later for various reasons.
Good luck & enjoy
I only got mine a few days ago and since the. I have
- tried editing out the nav bar via build.prop which ended in a soft brick
- did the 1 step unlock, root, flash recovery, install apps on the 4.0 all in one in development
- flashed dirty aokp so I could use the hidden nav bar option, surpassingly there was a option during flash to choose which kernel you wanted based on what performance or battery life
I really only use my nexus for reading with a little bit of gaming here and there so I went with Francos kernel, in my opinion you should definitely look into a rom that gives you the choice to choose which kernel you want so you can try them all out, I believe this option is called aroma installer in rom features. Dirty aokp list which ones are good for gaming and which are not so it's definitely a good place to start I guess.
Still a newb myself seeing as the last android device I came from was a kindle fire with cm7 yearsnago

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?

To root or not to root

To root or not to root
After my last bad experience and also after reading how some have faced issues after rooting their note 3 I was wondering if rooting has any adverse effects on the phones functionality. What are cons of rooting?
There's bit of lag on note 3 which is really annoying for such a beast.
Any advice would be much appreciated thanks
I own N9005 model from O2 unlocked.
riz157 said:
To root or not to root
After my last bad experience and also after reading how some have faced issues after rooting their note 3 I was wondering if rooting has any adverse effects on the phones functionality. What are cons of rooting?
There's bit of lag on note 3 which is really annoying for such a beast.
Any advice would be much appreciated thanks
I own N9005 model from O2 unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an update from Samsung that should fix the lag.
I would wait until a good (really) good rom is out
elias2204 said:
There is an update from Samsung that should fix the lag.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No update available for my model unfortunately.
CoolDevelopment said:
I would wait until a good (really) good rom is out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm....are current roms poor or no improvement?
I've rooted my phone and hence sacrificed the ability to get OTA update from Samsung... but still, in my opinion, it really depends on the user own personal preference. I root my phone because there's a lot of apps that I am using requires root access (tasker, xposed, etc)...
There are currently not too many custom roms available for note 3 yet (as far as i know), better wait for a while if you're planning on rooting simply for the sake of flashing new rom. :good:
jigzopuzzle said:
I've rooted my phone and hence sacrificed the ability to get OTA update from Samsung... but still, in my opinion, it really depends on the user own personal preference. I root my phone because there's a lot of apps that I am using requires root access (tasker, xposed, etc)...
There are currently not too many custom roms available for note 3 yet (as far as i know), better wait for a while if you're planning on rooting simply for the sake of flashing new rom. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But for a popular device like taht i won't take too long
I'm tossing up the same thing and wondering if anyone can answer this question. If I flash back to stock firmware after rooting will device status revert to official thus allowing me to have ota updates again or does setting the knox flag mean I will be system status modified forever?
I know knox flag can't be reverted but what about system status?
Sent from my SM-N9005 now Free
jigzopuzzle said:
I've rooted my phone and hence sacrificed the ability to get OTA update from Samsung... but still, in my opinion, it really depends on the user own personal preference. I root my phone because there's a lot of apps that I am using requires root access (tasker, xposed, etc)...
There are currently not too many custom roms available for note 3 yet (as far as i know), better wait for a while if you're planning on rooting simply for the sake of flashing new rom. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here.
Although I'd liked to get a good recovery, too. I just rooted with stock recovery, so I can't make a full nand-backup so far. I tried xposed yesterday, but it didn't work. And as long as there isn't a working recovery option (except for going back to stock and installing my apps again vs. installing the full OS including apps and settings), I probably won't try xposed again. But I do miss the "skip tracks with volume rocker" feature.
Mikegrmn said:
Same here.
Although I'd liked to get a good recovery, too. I just rooted with stock recovery, so I can't make a full nand-backup so far. I tried xposed yesterday, but it didn't work. And as long as there isn't a working recovery option (except for going back to stock and installing my apps again vs. installing the full OS including apps and settings), I probably won't try xposed again. But I do miss the "skip tracks with volume rocker" feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to this website xposed should work? Are you using version 2.2?
Sent from my SM-N9005 now Free
Which is the safest way to root please?
My main reason for rooting is to reduce lag and install custom ROMs, at the moment their aren't many ROMs to choose from but I'm sure it won't be too long before that changes.
Also My phone is from o2 and they are one of the carriers who still have their ugly logo bootup at startup, shut down which is very annoying.
Also if things go wrong I can still revert back to stock via Odin?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2
Auto root by chainfire is the safest and easiest way ti root.
Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk 4
riz157 said:
Which is the safest way to root please?
My main reason for rooting is to reduce lag and install custom ROMs, at the moment their aren't many ROMs to choose from but I'm sure it won't be too long before that changes.
Also My phone is from o2 and they are one of the carriers who still have their ugly logo bootup at startup, shut down which is very annoying.
Also if things go wrong I can still revert back to stock via Odin?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting or putting a custom rom(based on touchwiz) won't probably change anything.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app
Yes that's true simply rooting wont get rid of lag however my main questions are which is the safest way to root and would I be able to flash generic rom via Odin? It's been awhile since I used Odin.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2
Ever time I consider rooting I come across post were user bricked phone. This is really of putting don't fancy bricking my phone. However can't do with lag which is very annoying.
Which is the simplest and safest method of rooting?
Not worried about knox my Model N9005 on MJ3 FW, unlocked version from the UK. Thanks
Rooting does not brick your phone. Only users who don't read the instructions properly bricks their phones.
I have been rooting andriod phones since Samsung S2 with no bricks.
Rooting gives you 'Admin' rights on your phone and I want / need that to have full control of my device.
Rooting does not stop OTA updates but you will need to re-root for every new update.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium HD app
I had the same dilemma. I rooted my Note 1, flashed mods & ROMs, and it was eventually what I wanted. It was, however, locked in that version. I had no time to play with it any more, so left it.
On buying the Note 3, I flashed a stock ROM for the Note 1, got the updates, and it was much better than what I had customised. I guess I had my customised ROM earlier than any OTA update, so did benefit.
The other aspect is a firewall. You can now block apps from Mobile data access (although it is tedious), but not from WiFi access. You can, however, block the access that apps have to your data (although also tedious), so at least you may be safer.
Finally, we have the bloatware on the device. This generation of Andoid seems a bit better behaved than previous ones, and I can disable a lot of the stock apps, which is good. I am not finding any wakelocks (or at least not a great deal), and battery life is very good overall.
So, for me, I would like to have a firewall, but as for the rest of the system, it is perfectly good for me, and I have no current plans to root this device.
What's the easiest way of disabling stock apps such as trip advisor, flipboard, ant bloatware etc?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
dholms said:
What's the easiest way of disabling stock apps such as trip advisor, flipboard, ant bloatware etc?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately some of the ones you listed cannot be turned off in the app manager. Many other apps, can however be turned off. Once I rooted I deleted most of the third party nonsense and froze most of the extra Samsung apps.
Techweed said:
Unfortunately some of the ones you listed cannot be turned off in the app manager. Many other apps, can however be turned off. Once I rooted I deleted most of the third party nonsense and froze most of the extra Samsung apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you keep Knox counter at 0x0 if you fiddle with deleting stock apps?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Q] Upgrading ROM etc.

A friend saw my Samsung Note 3 performance & asked if I could do anything for her Razr M.
System - 98..7.XT905.Retail.en.au
Android version - 4.1.2
I haven't rooted a Moto before so I did some reading - seems very different to Samsung methods and also seems to have far more ways to do it and also, the thing which gives me pause, a wider variety of things to go wrong. Don't get me wrong, I am not afraid of risking my phone - I have bricked my S3 and my Note 3 quite a few times in searching for performance and function.
But this is someone else's phone and she gave it to me for a day!!!
So, given all she really wants is better performance, I'd appreciate any advice on what I should tackle.
Some Q's... (as in point me to threads - I can read and work things out but some pointers on where to look can save me having to read all the threads in all the forums for a phone I will probably never touch again)
1. How do I protect against bricking? i.e. what is the standard way to reflash a stock ROM if things go wrong?
2. Is there a Moto repository for stock ROMs? Sammy has sammobile.com where all new releases (and old) are available for DL - does Motorola have similar or is it just Google and hope?
3. What level do I need to go to just to give better performance? (e.g. on my Note I did a lot of debloating to improve things, but that came after root, kernel and custom recovery so I could remove system apps etc.) Do I need to unlock BL or just root and install a custom ROM?
4. At first glance there doesn't seem to be many custom variations of the stock ROM, mostly CM and AOSP types. I am not sure how different that would make her phone to use, so I am assuming I'd be better sticking with a stock-customised ROM - is that a correct assumption?
Thanks for any assistance...
Journyman16 said:
A friend saw my Samsung Note 3 performance & asked if I could do anything for her Razr M.
System - 98..7.XT905.Retail.en.au
Android version - 4.1.2
I haven't rooted a Moto before so I did some reading - seems very different to Samsung methods and also seems to have far more ways to do it and also, the thing which gives me pause, a wider variety of things to go wrong. Don't get me wrong, I am not afraid of risking my phone - I have bricked my S3 and my Note 3 quite a few times in searching for performance and function.
But this is someone else's phone and she gave it to me for a day!!!
So, given all she really wants is better performance, I'd appreciate any advice on what I should tackle.
Some Q's... (as in point me to threads - I can read and work things out but some pointers on where to look can save me having to read all the threads in all the forums for a phone I will probably never touch again)
1. How do I protect against bricking? i.e. what is the standard way to reflash a stock ROM if things go wrong?
2. Is there a Moto repository for stock ROMs? Sammy has sammobile.com where all new releases (and old) are available for DL - does Motorola have similar or is it just Google and hope?
3. What level do I need to go to just to give better performance? (e.g. on my Note I did a lot of debloating to improve things, but that came after root, kernel and custom recovery so I could remove system apps etc.) Do I need to unlock BL or just root and install a custom ROM?
4. At first glance there doesn't seem to be many custom variations of the stock ROM, mostly CM and AOSP types. I am not sure how different that would make her phone to use, so I am assuming I'd be better sticking with a stock-customised ROM - is that a correct assumption?
Thanks for any assistance...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock ROM repository for XT905 -> http://sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=20
You should be able to use towelroot to root it.
Can't help much further since I have XT907
Edit: You could try freezing some unneeded bloatware (I know there's A LOT of that on the stock ROM for my phone) to free up some memory improve performance and conserve battery
rahimali said:
Stock ROM repository for XT905 -> http://sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=20
You should be able to use towelroot to root it.
Can't help much further since I have XT907
Edit: You could try freezing some unneeded bloatware (I know there's A LOT of that on the stock ROM for my phone) to free up some memory improve performance and conserve battery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help. I'm learning... I gave her phone back with just a few tweaks and will get it back when I am confident I can unbrick anything that might go wrong.
In the Sammy world, freezing apps requires root - same in the Moto-world?
Journyman16 said:
Thanks for the help. I'm learning... I gave her phone back with just a few tweaks and will get it back when I am confident I can unbrick anything that might go wrong.
In the Sammy world, freezing apps requires root - same in the Moto-world?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root will be required for freezing system apps, not for users apps. Rooting should be fairly simple (hopefully). Install, supersu from the playstore, have data/wi-fi internet connectivity, install towelroot and use that to get root.
Don't let her update it the latest update breaks root. Hopefully she is on kitkat and that is why her phone is performing poorly. Root with towel root then run motoapkakypse.apk to unlock the boot loader. Now honestly there aren't any Roms I'd call a daily driver yet with the kitkat kernel so you'll have to downgrade to the jellybean kernel and install one of the top 3 or 4 Roms... I'm still on stock I found that location services and a few wake locks were the problems and fixed them with an app called app ops
Sent from my XT907 using XDA Free mobile app

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