new to android - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi everybody im new here and pretty new to android in general.
i bought my nexus 4 a month ago and i like it alot now i have a few questions
i think about getting my device rooted for a couple of reasons- first of all to improve the battery life and to check my cpu (wheter it is slow, nominal, fast or faster) and to undervolt the phone accordingly. also in order to use some programs that require root like fps meter. and maybe to use a rom that allows to hide the navigation keys and make them appear by swiping from the bottom upwards.
now my question is what are the dangers of rooting and if i root would i still be able to get updates from google?
because i read that if you recieve an update your device might turn off and not turn on again.
thank you in advance.

TheVaginator said:
Hi everybody im new here and pretty new to android in general.
i bought my nexus 4 a month ago and i like it alot now i have a few questions
i think about getting my device rooted for a couple of reasons- first of all to improve the battery life and to check my cpu (wheter it is slow, nominal, fast or faster) and to undervolt the phone accordingly. also in order to use some programs that require root like fps meter. and maybe to use a rom that allows to hide the navigation keys and make them appear by swiping from the bottom upwards.
now my question is what are the dangers of rooting and if i root would i still be able to get updates from google?
because i read that if you recieve an update your device might turn off and not turn on again.
thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://google.about.com/od/socialtoolsfromgoogle/a/root-android-decision.htm
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_...ndroid-like-a-pro-rooting-and-roms-explained/
Don't google search or anything.....
My personal opinion...You shouldn't root. You don't at this time understand it. Nor the reason to do it and you don't search for answers on your own.
/shrug

So, if you root your device it normally voids the warranty. But this is no prob cause you can simply unroot it when guarantee is needed. The rooting itself is not dangerous, if you use a toolkit it is very simple and you almost can`t brick your phone. When you don`unlock the bootloader you can still get google updates, but why not unlock and enjoy custom roms and kernels. Also only with these things you get a lot better battery life, evrythings faster etc..
ah and: you need unlocked bootloader for flashing custom roms and kernels!
Gesendet von meinem Nexus 7

TheVaginator said:
because i read that if you recieve an update your device might turn off and not turn on again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This isn't True..i donno where you read it. But this thing is true that after reading this thing, i lost consciousness
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Related

Stock vs Rooted incredible

Well guys im new to this i had a samsung omnia before and so i know more about windows mobile than droid.. what i want is to use my phone as a moderm without the usb. And also would like to what wpuld change if i root my phone.
Thanks and sorry if i posted in the wrong forum...
Quick Quick
1107963 said:
Well guys im new to this i had a samsung omnia before and so i know more about windows mobile than droid.. what i want is to use my phone as a moderm without the usb. And also would like to what wpuld change if i root my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This question has been asked and answered a billion times, but before anyone flames - the rooting process will allow you flash a custom recovery which will allow you to flash custom ROMS *and* will install BusyBox and SuperUser to allow you to run programs which require "root" access. Once such program is for "wireless tether".
My incred is rooted and have had no ill effects so far.(2 months) both wired and wireless tethering work well.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
Two quick questions to add instead of creating a whole new thread. First, is there a simple guide to rooting my phone...like an "Idiots Guide" of sorts for newbies like me trying to get into this rooting thing? Also, once my phone is rooted, what happens when Froyo is officially released? Im not planning on putting the leaked Froyo on my phone, so would I still be able to get the official Froyo update? Sorry if Im a moron...Im just trying to jam as much info ionto my head as I can and Im out of room... Ha!
There is a sticky in the Android development section of the incredible. It pretty much has everything you need in there. You can always go back to your original setup. I would highly suggest purchasing Titanium backup. It has proven to be the best ROOT program I have.
Wait
My advice is to sit and wait for the official release. These buggy releases have spawned tons of "help me, this doesn't work" threads which are never really clear as to what version they are complaining about (which hopefully will stop polluting the forum once the real release comes out). Just wait.
If you like root, you best not be waiting for the official release.
No, you want to wait until after it is released and made into a root safe update. Wouldn't waste time on the leaked stuff.
Root gives you wifi tether and custom roms. That's about it. Of course that's quite a lot. My home net service went out yesterday and it wasn't a big deal cause of tether... I run cm6 which has a lot of cool features built in. I got rid of the bloatware on my phone. I use my wii controller to play ends games... but it all takes time and it's a matter of preference. Most people probably just use the phone the way it comes and don't want to spend time hacking it. The phone does almost everything stock so you don't have to root it.

[Q] I've searched, no one asked: Should I root my Vibrant?

Ok...
No one has debated or have asked this question:
Should I root my Vibrant?
I'd like to actually see a debate whether or not rooting is better or stock is better. I know you have to root in order to do custom ROM, but what I'm trying to achieve on this thread is, the benefits of rooting (since I know there are plenty). I just want to give noobs and new users of Vibrant the flexibility of deciding whether they need to root, or not. I myself, have a rooted vibrant, and LOVE IT.
So, is rooting for me? Should I root the Vibrant? Or stick with the stock?
P.S.
I used "me" as an example. It isn't necessary that I want to ask the question, i just thought it's better if i put "me" on the question...
Rooting is ALWAYS better.
Certainly the VAST majority of people do not need to root their phones for any reason. I have several friends with Vibrants that are quite happy with their phones as-is.
You gain absolutely nothing by rooting your phone, there is absolutely no difference in any way shape or form except you can now do modifications that non-rooted phones can not. The question isn't whether to root or not, the question is whether or not you want to do something with/to your phone that requires root access.
For me, I would have had to stick with my Blackberry simply to have tethering ability, it is a feature I have had to use many, many times. Since I never got Kies working right, I had no choice but to root in order to install MobileAP which has been a real life saver for me when I absolutely had to have internet access on my laptop and their was no alternative. This is the same reason I had to root my wife's 3G Slide. She absolutely has to have internet access and it is her only means to get it in some places.
That will probably be the only reason for her. Me, being a techie, I have flash Franken-Twiz, Bionix 1.8, 1.9, and am now running Fusion and absolutely love my phone now.
djquick said:
Rooting is ALWAYS better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How come it is ALWAYS better? What makes rooting better for you?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
@ Kerry
Well put. Hopefully this would bring light to new users.
Personally, rooting is a must for me, because of the fact I'm always on the road, having a tethered phone has an advantage.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I rooted because I could...
I like the ability to do different things with my phone - I'm not one to leave it stock if I don't have too.
but it's weird, I haven't jailbroke my ipod yet - never really felt the need to nor the desire.
with my phone (and this is my first android) it just seemed like the right thing to do, then after bricking during the OTA I dived right into flashing ROMs and overclocking...yeah, rooting like a gateway drug...and I'm so happy...
but I was the noob on rooting/flashing/ etc up until the other week...and now I have a flashing problem...hahahaha
I rooted my phone just to delete the bloatware.
There is a whole section of "things to do with root" in the general sticky....
I mean, that IS the reason to root... to open up options.
Want to control which apps can open at startup? Want to tether? Want to flash a custom rom? Want to overclock the processor? Want to get rid of bloatware? Want to create backups of your phone for an "oh $hit" moment?
I really do not see any reason not to. Especially since it is so easy to get back to stock/non-root.
I owned a G1 previously and never thought rooting was for me. Less than 2 weeks after getting my Vibrant I decided to give rooting a go and instantly loved it. I was actually mad at myself afterwards for not even considering rooting my G1 and running stock for almost 2 years. I don't even use custom ROMs but I love being able to take screen caps, Mobile AP, and being able to block ads.
djquick said:
Rooting is ALWAYS better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That depends on who is using the phone. I mean for someone that doesn't care for rom or doing anything other than making phone call, text, and browse the web, he or she will not really need to root. They will not find root better. Like my GF thinks root is too much work and hassle. For me, I think root is better since i actually like to try new roms and get updates before the OTA. Root will give you the ability to tether and use custom recovery to backup/restore.
Now to the OP, it just depends on what you are looking to do with your phone. If you are just using it to make calls and browse the web, you can just keep it unrooted. If you plan to use tethering or make any system changes, you will need to root. Also, if you root, it doesn't mean you have to do anything else to your phone. You can still keep it in its stock form and have the option to do whatever you want later. It's up to you.
Shakespeare Said it is better to root
Shakespeare says it is better to root Ahhhh .... Yes to Quote:
"to Root or not to root"... that is the question
"Is it better to suffer the slings and bloatware from the carrier" or to
Just Root the phone and make it more versatile, delete the bloat and do what and when you want to the phone YOU own
I personally never like outside controls on objects that I buy.... neither would Shakespeare
Rooting is always better unless you are only interested in the retail version only type device.
Listen to Kerry G he has it right
Tether
Just a note! I can tether with PDAnet using bluetooth and I'm not rooted.
Rooting isn't a requirment to tether, However there may be other options that do require root access.
Great feedback.
s15274n said:
There is a whole section of "things to do with root" in the general sticky....
I mean, that IS the reason to root... to open up options.
Want to control which apps can open at startup? Want to tether? Want to flash a custom rom? Want to overclock the processor? Want to get rid of bloatware? Want to create backups of your phone for an "oh $hit" moment?
I really do not see any reason not to. Especially since it is so easy to get back to stock/non-root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, somehow i knew s15274n would reply. Not many people know that rooting is a good thing or a bad thing. They don't know that they got options. I've been reading and been surfing on XDA for a long time, I had an old handle here, when WinMo was popular. But then when i got promoted, I started to be on the road, i've lost touch (and my account i closed).
Many people I encounter across the country don't know why they should root, or skeptical to root. Since I got the Vibrant, i rooted it right away, and plenty of my clientèle are amazed of what that Android phone can do. Most have Crackberry, and I've led them to this site and found it very usefull.
They don't see the stickies, or such, so i made a thread that i could access on my phone to show them. They ask the same thing all the time, "Should I root/Why do you root/I'm afraid to root/I don't know Andriod" Most of them don't have the time to read stickies. SO, i tell them. But I tell them of what MY opinion is (and why I wanted to root), and so i decided to thread and ask other people's opinion on why they would root.
Great feedback guys
oka1 said:
Shakespeare says it is better to root Ahhhh .... Yes to Quote:
"to Root or not to root"... that is the question
"Is it better to suffer the slings and bloatware from the carrier" or to
Just Root the phone and make it more versatile, delete the bloat and do what and when you want to the phone YOU own
I personally never like outside controls on objects that I buy.... neither would Shakespeare
Rooting is always better unless you are only interested in the retail version only type device.
Listen to Kerry G he has it right
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good one!

Rooting DHD

I am a new to android. Was a long time Iphone user and I wanted to know how to root DHD and what are the major benefits of rooting the DHD
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
I want now to.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
rooting is very easy, i rooted mine a couple of days ago and flashed a custom ROM today
http://theunlockr.com/2010/11/15/universal-android-rooting-method-visionary-method/
There are plenty of guides in the development section. I only rooted mine last week, after having been completely new to the android system.
To give you any advice, it would be to read around what you have to do before you actually do it. For a first time user, it could sound complicated, but it really isnt.
Also, I would go for LeeDroids custom Rom and kernel, they run immaculately.
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
The benefits of rooting your phone is a much faster phone and improved battery life, and much more other stuffs
the main benefit is the possibility to run apps that need special privileges... you should do when you want to run those apps. rooting by rooting is pointless...
I rooted my phone a month ago cause i wanted to change the pixel density and now i flash a new rom every day... it's a addiction.. =o)
Can you pls explain what you mean by changing pixel density
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Teach the boy to crawl first
Rather than start a new thread I hope you don't mind me asking in here!
I want to root my DHD, however I need to downgrade my phone to 2.2 from 2.2.1. Is it possible to do it on a Mac?
Any help would be great!
@eiKr, there is a whole thread about it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=905003
i really don't know, since i don't use a mac...
@niks_5in, type "LCD density" on the market and you will know what i meant! =oP need to say, i don't see any bad side effect in rooting, but since you came from iphone, you should read a lot on dev section before make any kind of change in your device...
I was on the same boat as you...
Today I decided to root it and what a difference!
Should be possible on a mac since there are osx versions of adb and fastboot available. Think there is already a pre extracted pd98img.zip available for download from the downgrade guide thread.
You don't need to run any windows exe for the downgrade.
-----
Someone Swyped my idea.
Most benefits has already been brought up, but one big benefit is to have full control over your device.
And I will soon flash the phone for the first time, just waiting for wid0w to set up a rom flashing tutorial (hopefully today).
thiagodark said:
I rooted my phone a month ago cause i wanted to change the pixel density
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that like using a higher resolution display on the phone? Can you show us a comparison?
+1 to LeeDroid 2.0.0 although you're best to look through the many available to see which one might suit you best. They're all pretty stable.
PLEASE remember that this is your choice though, nothing to do with the developer of the ROM if it goes wrong. There's plenty of information about how to do it so you should be fine! I successfully got root, s-off, recovery, and have flashed loads of different ROM's with no problems.
Be warned though that as someone else above said, it gets ridiculously addictive, you'll be checking for updates all the time!
Benefits of it for me is that I have control over my device. I got mine in the UK through Orange and there was a load of "bloatware" on there which I would never use but couldn't uninstall. Rooting and a new ROM solved this plus when a stable gingerbread ROM comes out, I'll be at the front of the line for it rather than wait for my service carrier to provide the update!
franklin20uk said:
Is that like using a higher resolution display on the phone? Can you show us a comparison?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah you can change the DPI in the boot.prop. Ill get some screenshots of my Streak up when I get home.
Yeah, I rooted mine because of those preinstaled applications such as stocks, filckr or news which i never used and they still kept running in the background. You can also make your DHD even faster by OC (+30% of CPU performance - safely), make the speaker louder so you can finaly hear it. Most (if not all) of the ROMs available are also faster and smoother than the stock and they should improve your battery life. However it is not my case, cause since i flashed the new ROM (Core Droid - nice eyecandy and super smooth) i'm still playing with the phone and sometimes i have to recharge twice a day
Its thruth that you can brick your phone for good, but if you carefuly follow instructions on this forum and think twice, its 100% safe (or 99.9999% at least).
Just one advice that might prove useful and i haven't seen it here on the forum. After flashing a new ROM, do not erase the instalation .zip filefrom the SD. Can be useful if something goes wrong, especialy if you dont have a card reader
just search for "visionary"
its a one click root tool
Yea I used Visionary and it's was very easy

[Q] Any real benefit in rooting your xoom???

Hey guys I'm just wondering if there is a real benefit to rooting at this point. I'm really pro rooting your devices but I want to see a real benefit to it too.
Am I missing something but as of now I cant really find a real motive to Root my xoom considering also that I will have to do a factory reset and revert to unrooted unlock stock for the LTE upgrade.
Can anyone that has rooted his Xoom give me their feedback on their experience and benefits they found by rooting?
And yes, I know the 1.5 GHz overclock but is that enough?...
Thanks.
Of course, you can play Donkey Kong on it
yankele said:
Hey guys I'm just wondering if there is a real benefit to rooting at this point. I'm really pro rooting your devices but I want to see a real benefit to it too.
Am I missing something but as of now I cant really find a real motive to Root my xoom considering also that I will have to do a factory reset and revert to unrooted unlock stock for the LTE upgrade.
Can anyone that has rooted his Xoom give me their feedback on their experience and benefits they found by rooting?
And yes, I know the 1.5 GHz overclock but is that enough?...
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Motorola has said you do NOT need to unroot your device if you want the 4G upgrade. They said they will still install the modem and try to install the software needed. If the software doesn't work, they will still ship it back to you, but now you have to figure out how get the software to work.
In all likelihood, if you're just rooting so you can install some basic apps. You won't have an issue, but if for some reason you're flashing to different roms, then yes you would have to take a little time to either revert back to stock, or get it back and figure out how to install the modem software yourself.
if your asking this question then must not have done enough research or you shouldnt even bother attempting to root
I have done a lot of research and every day go to xoom android development to keep up to date with whats happening but I wanted to ask people who rooted already what are their experience with it.
As of now there is no custom ROM but there is a kernel and a few boot screens but and the overcloking but I from the outside IDK what are people experiencing on a rooted xoom that makes a lot of difference from my non rooted one.
And I may not have a lot of posts in the forums but even tho I'm no expert I'm not a complete stranger to rooting.
If you are so talented in rooting, you should already be aware of the benefits. If what you see in the development section isn't enough to satisfy you then simply don't do it.
Rooting opens doors to custom system-level themes, custom ROMs, root required apps, custom kernels, and so forth. Obviously you know this much and half of it isn't available on the Xoom at the time. It may just not be worth it.
Eclair~ said:
If you are so talented in rooting, you should already be aware of the benefits. If what you see in the development section isn't enough to satisfy you then simply don't do it.
Rooting opens doors to custom system-level themes, custom ROMs, root required apps, custom kernels, and so forth. Obviously you know this much and half of it isn't available on the Xoom at the time. It may just not be worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^^ Exactly what i was trying to imply well put ^^^
Eclair~ said:
If you are so talented in rooting, you should already be aware of the benefits. If what you see in the development section isn't enough to satisfy you then simply don't do it.
Rooting opens doors to custom system-level themes, custom ROMs, root required apps, custom kernels, and so forth. Obviously you know this much and half of it isn't available on the Xoom at the time. It may just not be worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He didn't say that he was a pro "at" rooting devices, rather he was pro rooting devices (ie. He's generally in support of the idea).
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
I'm no rooting expert, or anything close to that title.
Thanks for your response, and yes, I agree with you about the fact that many of the features that we enjoyed in our phones being rooted are still not working for HC.
That's why I was asking if there is anything that I will like and that I'm missing at this point being that I enjoy other devs work but I'm not able to develop on my own.
Anyways I think maybe rooting may not be for me at this point, but I'm really looking forward for something worth rooting my $800 toy!
Thanks
gigglebox said:
He didn't say that he was a pro "at" rooting devices, rather he was pro rooting devices (ie. He's generally in support of the idea).
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is correct, I missed that part in my previous response.
Thank you!
I finally rooted my evo to freely tether my xoom! But no, I havent seen a compelling reason to root the xoom yet, with so many expected critical software updates coming in the future (4g, flash, sd card) I'll personally wait a bit until at least the sd card update is pushed (fingers crossed)
hi_its_ryan said:
But no, I havent seen a compelling reason to root the xoom yet, with so many expected critical software updates coming in the future (4g, flash, sd card) I'll personally wait a bit until at least the sd card update is pushed (fingers crossed)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my exact feelings. I'm waiting for the Xoom to become the device it's supposed to be before I get too into tinkering with it. Eventually I will go the rooting route, but not quite yet.
That is what I needed to hear, from normal people like me that had rooted already.
I guess if would have a data plan with vzw it would make more sense to root now but since I don't, and there is not a custom rom and I'll have to revert to stock if I want the software update when I send my xoom for the LTE upgrade, I'm not gonna be rooting yet all tho I'm dying to root, or maybe I'll root just for the fun of it because anyways I flash a new rom almost every week or twice a week so the reverting to stock may not be any harder to do.
I'll see....
Thanks for your feedback guys!
Sent from my HTC EVO running MYN's WARM Z using the XDA app.
hi_its_ryan said:
I finally rooted my evo to freely tether my xoom! But no, I havent seen a compelling reason to root the xoom yet, with so many expected critical software updates coming in the future (4g, flash, sd card) I'll personally wait a bit until at least the sd card update is pushed (fingers crossed)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're still able to get those updates even while being rooted. You won't however, once you choose to install a custom rom on it... made possible by rooting.
Can someone just help the Guy/Girl?
come on now. It seems like everyother thread has someone saying "If you know so much blah blah" We all know he doesn't know, which is the point of his thread. To Learn.
You don't need to come in here and try to insult him/her and tell em that if they don't know they don't need to bother rooting, etc.
If you have rooted, What have you done with your device that would make a knowledgeable end user want to root? Thats all he wants to know.
I wish I could help, but this Xoom is my first android device.
I am looking forward to rooting for my first time, and playing with everything, but personally I am just going to wait till after the LTE upgrade just to save myself a headache.
Maybe someone could help me with this question. Since after rooting/flashing ROMs might cause Moto's software for the 4g Radio to work improperly, does that mean if I wait till after the LTE upgrade, rooting/flashing might cause the Radio to not work?
Or is it somehow, once the software is on there, changing the ROMs and Permissions won't affect the Radio?
yankele said:
That is what I needed to hear, from normal people like me that had rooted already.
I guess if would have a data plan with vzw it would make more sense to root now but since I don't, and there is not a custom rom and I'll have to revert to stock if I want the software update when I send my xoom for the LTE upgrade, I'm not gonna be rooting yet all tho I'm dying to root, or maybe I'll root just for the fun of it because anyways I flash a new rom almost every week or twice a week so the reverting to stock may not be any harder to do.
I'll see....
Thanks for your feedback guys!
Sent from my HTC EVO running MYN's WARM Z using the XDA app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you not read the third post of this thread? It doesn't matter if you root the device or not, You'll get the 4G update. However if you're running a custom rom, they might not be able to install the software for the modem, in which case, you need to do it yourself. If you keep the stock rom and stay rooted, I doubt you would have any problems.
The third post in no way answers his question. Nor do the posts to "research." Don't be a ****, either answer the question or ignore it. The question is a reasonable one and posted in general.
In my opinion right now there is not a need to root right now unless:
-you want to deploy a custom Tom
-you want to overclock
-you want to customize the default rom. .. I.e. remove default applications such as the games, replace system files for turning purposes, etc...
-you want to run an application that requires root.
Until you have a desire or need that requires root there is no need to root the device. If you do root though Motorola seems (as stated in post 3) willing to upgrade the device at a minimum. So fear of ineligibility for the upgrade should not be a deterrent to upgrading.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
JayBeezy802 said:
Did you not read the third post of this thread? It doesn't matter if you root the device or not, You'll get the 4G update. However if you're running a custom rom, they might not be able to install the software for the modem, in which case, you need to do it yourself. If you keep the stock rom and stay rooted, I doubt you would have any problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did read it but if you read my post I'm acknowledging that my device will get the LTE upgrade no matter what, but I don't want to take the risk to not be able to get the software upgrade just because they see my xoom is unlocked and rooted.
If you read the Motorola moderator in that forum he says more or less that if you are rooted pretty much don't get the software... and you know they could use any kind of excuses to not do it.
But still I might root just for the fun of it and going back to stock just to ne safe and not have to look for the freacking thing myself.
Sent from my HTC EVO running MYN's WARM Z using the XDA app.
yankele said:
Hey guys I'm just wondering if there is a real benefit to rooting at this point. I'm really pro rooting your devices but I want to see a real benefit to it too.
Am I missing something but as of now I cant really find a real motive to Root my xoom considering also that I will have to do a factory reset and revert to unrooted unlock stock for the LTE upgrade.
Can anyone that has rooted his Xoom give me their feedback on their experience and benefits they found by rooting?
And yes, I know the 1.5 GHz overclock but is that enough?...
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My main motive is nothing more than having the capability of defying the machine/syztem
I rooted and OC'd with both BidDogs and Koush's kernels.
I had reboot issues with both (not complaining here). Had it OC'd for about 4 days, tried BD update this morning and still did the reboot thing (sometimes several times an hour). MOST peoples OC seems to be wokring well.
Other then that, while rooted I didn't really do much other then poke around as su in the file system.
This morning i flashed back using the SFB file. I will try to root it again and OC if my xoom remains solid for the next day...maybe i did one of the steps wrong somewhere.
So to finally answer your question, I had a awsome time rooting/OC'ing and learned quite a bit doing so!

Some questions about nexus 4/rooting/warranty etc.

Hi Guys,
I am considering buying the Google Nexus 4, for the price it seems like the best bang for the buck phone and I cant seem to find anything better in its price range.
My biggest issue with it is the darn on screen buttons that waste screen space, I really wish they had move these to hardware but for some baffling reason they left them on screen.
For this reason I will need to root the dvice as those on screen buttons will annoy me to no end. However, it seems rooting the new android is a lot more complicated then it was before, this brings me to my first 2 questions
- Do you have to unlock to root? Is there no method to root without unlocking (I just dont want to void the warranty).
- What is the best method for unlocking? I've seen a few guides kicking around, some using ADB Fastboot/something else and another using the Nexust Root Toolkit. Though I havent been fully satisified with any of these guides, could you point me to the best and safest method for rooting?
With regards to unlocking and the warranty, I've read that people say the warranty states unlokcing "may" void your warranty. Doe anyone know if it really does? Any experienced sending an unlocked phone for warranty service?
My last question is regarding the GPS, we want to be able to use the phone for Geocaching but have no interest in a data plan, the specs of the phone say that it has GPS but does this mean it actually has a GPS receiver that does not rely on a data plan?
Thanks for all your help guys!
anyone of the pinned threads for rooting will work just fine. Also the toolkits are simple to use. Its unlock bootloader which is a simple command and fastboot your recovery which again is simple and then you are on your way. Of course any changes to your phone will void warranty but its not like you cant set it back to stock. GPS works with data but the wifi geolocation I believe does not need data.
All in all its a simple phone to root and best bang for your buck no need to worry bout rooting and flashing roms since yes they are both simple and new 4.3 method is no different than any other as long as you flash SuperSu.
You also have a few roms that let you adjust the navigation keys at the bottom for more real estate on the phone screen
Dont over think everything and just sit back and enjoy :good:
Thanks for the info Playa, I appreciate it.
So the GPS works without data though righ? We have no plans to get data any time in the forseeable future, we've been using our Asus Infinity but its just so big that it's a pain to carry around with you when your hiking. If I load up some offline maps and the geo caching app then the gps will work offline just like on our Infinity? (hopefully a bit better actually as the gps on the infinity is a bit wonky).
The only other device I've rooted was the Infinity which was running ICS at the time, it was much more simple, just ran a program, hit yes a couple times and it was done. Wonder why no one has made a method for rooting without the need to unlock.
u50r said:
Thanks for the info Playa, I appreciate it.
So the GPS works without data though righ? We have no plans to get data any time in the forseeable future, we've been using our Asus Infinity but its just so big that it's a pain to carry around with you when your hiking. If I load up some offline maps and the geo caching app then the gps will work offline just like on our Infinity? (hopefully a bit better actually as the gps on the infinity is a bit wonky).
The only other device I've rooted was the Infinity which was running ICS at the time, it was much more simple, just ran a program, hit yes a couple times and it was done. Wonder why no one has made a method for rooting without the need to unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting nexus devices really hasn't changed much over the years. It's actually super easy. There are/have been exploits for rooting without unlocking, but I don't know if they still work.
GPS works fine without a data connection as long as you have the map data saved offline.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Great, thanks! I'll likely order one in the morning, unless anyone can suggest a better phone for the price but if there is one then I can't find it.
About roms and stuff, I've never installed custom roms or anything, I only rooted my Asus Infinity to get rid of the nav bar on the bottom really. But They do intrigue me a bit, is installing custom roms a safe process? Also, could you suggest some good solid roms for the nexus 4? Preferably something that does not use fixed on screen buttons or has the capability to auto hide them,.
u50r said:
Great, thanks! I'll likely order one in the morning, unless anyone can suggest a better phone for the price but if there is one then I can't find it.
About roms and stuff, I've never installed custom roms or anything, I only rooted my Asus Infinity to get rid of the nav bar on the bottom really. But They do intrigue me a bit, is installing custom roms a safe process? Also, could you suggest some good solid roms for the nexus 4? Preferably something that does not use fixed on screen buttons or has the capability to auto hide them,.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock 4.3 rom is good for me combined with a custom kernel like Franco kernel. for hiding the on screen buttons just add `qemu.hw.mainkeys=1` to the buildprop and reboot and use LMT launcher for Pie Control. Rooting 4.3 isn`t any less easier than it was btw, just flash an custom recovery and flash this zip http://download.chainfire.eu/346/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.55.zip and you`re rooted. Install superSU app from Play also if needed off course.
Great, I'll have to check that out.
But I gotta beg to differ a little bit with the ease of rooting, I'm sure to you guys that have been doing this all the time you could do it in your sleep but with my Asus Infinity all I literally had to do was plug it into the PC, run the rooting tool and hit yes like twice and it was done, no unlocking, no installing custom recoveries, no flashing anything or any of that.
Just wanted to add something, if you are still worried about the GPS.
I am abroad at the moment, so no data. Loaded up maps while on WiFi at a friends house, then let it guide me through Madrid center.
Worked like a charm.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
u50r said:
Great, I'll have to check that out.
But I gotta beg to differ a little bit with the ease of rooting, I'm sure to you guys that have been doing this all the time you could do it in your sleep but with my Asus Infinity all I literally had to do was plug it into the PC, run the rooting tool and hit yes like twice and it was done, no unlocking, no installing custom recoveries, no flashing anything or any of that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is a one click tool http://download.chainfire.eu/297/CF-Root/CF-Auto-Root/CF-Auto-Root-mako-occam-nexus4.zip. Extract it and boot your phone in bootloader mode and click root-windows (if you run windows off course).
u50r said:
Great, I'll have to check that out.
But I gotta beg to differ a little bit with the ease of rooting, I'm sure to you guys that have been doing this all the time you could do it in your sleep but with my Asus Infinity all I literally had to do was plug it into the PC, run the rooting tool and hit yes like twice and it was done, no unlocking, no installing custom recoveries, no flashing anything or any of that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
simply read the instructions over and over and over again. also the toolkits is easy enough because you only have to press a few buttons. I know we say its easy but its like anything else you just have to read slow follow directions or check out videos on youtube for it...
Thanks for the link gee2012, I'll have to give that one a go.
So what do you guys think is the best kernel? Been watching some reviews, seems the Franco kernel is very good for battery life, but th Matr1x kernel seems to also be good at battery life while providing a fair bit more performance then stock. Any thoughts? Do they all provide the ability to hide the navigation buttons or do I still have to get another app to do that?

Categories

Resources