Should I root my S4? Looking for advice - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

Ok so this S4 is pretty much the first real smart phone I've ever owned. I've often heard that rooting a device is a great way to go for an android phone. Now could someone explain exactly what rooting it does? It is supposed to basically format the phone and install a stock android OS, right? It will get rid of all the bloatware from Samsung/AT&T?
Are there any disadvantages to rooting it? Am I in any danger of my phone losing functionality? Will I still be able to use all the same settings like the eye detection, or the motion gestures, and the camera will still be the same?

Root is like admin access in Windows. It will not format your phone if you root. It also voids the warranty.
There's tons of info out there about the pros and cons of rooting. When I got my Captivate all I did was read because most of the time... The question i wanted to ask had already been answered. Read as much as you can on here and Google. It will help a lot.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using xda app-developers app

RAID Xero said:
Root is like admin access in Windows. It will not format your phone if you root. It also voids the warranty.
There's tons of info out there about the pros and cons of rooting. When I got my Captivate all I did was read because most of the time... The question i wanted to ask had already been answered. Read as much as you can on here and Google. It will help a lot.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've read up on it a bit, but not a whole lot. Honestly the main reason I was hoping to root is to free up some space. Do you know approximately how much space I would have if I rooted my S4? Currently have about 8 out of 16 GB being used by the OS/Software

You've got a lot of reading to do. And when you think you've read enough, read some more.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

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OnSugarHill said:
I've read up on it a bit, but not a whole lot. Honestly the main reason I was hoping to root is to free up some space. Do you know approximately how much space I would have if I rooted my S4? Currently have about 8 out of 16 GB being used by the OS/Software
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your free space depends on how many (and the size) of the apps you remove. It's not like you're going to get root then more space just appears.
I can't find the other thread, but here's a good place to start on what apps on be removed.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2254143
BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING... read. With root access you can really screw up your phone if you don't know what you're doing or what you're removing.

Related

New here

Hey im new to the forum and android world. Just bought a vibrant 3 days ago. Is there anything special I should know/learn about my phone or the whole android os?
(rooting dont know what it is just heard about it.)
I just switch from an iphone so any help would be appreciated.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
YoungLeiva said:
Hey im new to the forum and android world. Just bought a vibrant 3 days ago. Is there anything special I should know/learn about my phone or the whole android os?
(rooting dont know what it is just heard about it.)
I just switch from an iphone so any help would be appreciated.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to Android!
You can start reading HERE.
There is a lot to learn. So start reading!
So kies mini is a maintance upgrade? Should I do this upgrade ?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Welcome to the party....also read here and here
krook6023 said:
Welcome to the party....also read here and here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
D:
totally forgot. Read those too! Those are great threads to read before posting up any questions, if you run into any trouble, etc.
One more thing...read and read and read and read. You have an expensive phone...all the info you need is here...but do yourself a favor and read for a few days so you understand what you are doing. That will limit your questions and headaches…
There are very helpful people in theses forums and they are more likely to help you after you have you have tried to help your self.
YoungLeiva said:
Hey im new to the forum and android world. Just bought a vibrant 3 days ago. Is there anything special I should know/learn about my phone or the whole android os?
(rooting dont know what it is just heard about it.)
I just switch from an iphone so any help would be appreciated.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congratulations on breaking free. Just one piece of advice in addition to the links others already posted - to make your life on these boards more pleasant, use the search before posting questions. There's a good chance the info is already available.
Thank you .
Im reading all this through the app so kind of.hard to read it all bearly getting used to the phone too thanks tho and I will start reading .
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Like everyone has said read lol
Welcome though! I also came from an iphone over a year ago and ive never looked back.
Sent from my vibrant running bionix 1.9.1 oc/uv/vodoo
Welcome
Like all ....welcome the above posts have provided links, remember a couple of things, Go slow at first before changing up the phone... get used to the phone. Look at the apps here and on the android market
Look at the development section in the Vibrant forum and read alot of the posting and links about the custom ROMs. The people who made them are superior to the service provider developers.
Once you are comfortable with your background/reference education then, start modifying the phone. You are going to find this is SUCH a good phone to customize, and way user friendly than others I have used in the past. Good luck, and welcome
Welcome +1!
We're here to help as long as the question hasn't been posted 15x10^n times =) Reading is integral to learning more about your phone. Peek into the dev forum but don't post any questions in there unless directly related to a ROM you've flashed (and even then search the thread for your answer [there's a search thread button at the top of the page]).
There are many good people on the forum even when the get short tempered due to "failure to read" syndrome.
Congratulations on a wise purchase, your phone is only going to get better (we've got some great devs ).
~SB

Bare With Me....

I am coming from a T-Mobile HTC HD2, and I have Unlocked the phone, installed several ROM's and Android Build's, but I am getting bored, so I got a Vibrant now, Do I need to Unlock the Vibrant and Root the phone in order to install a Custom ROM? If so, if you could provide me the link to a program to Root the phone, and Unlock the phone, would be much appreciated, and I can go from there, thank you. Please do not flame this, obviously I know what I am talking about.
Read the bible and all questions will be answered. Basically do not be lazy and do a search its all here the info you need.
Cheers.
that sounds sexual
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=771111
Anybody notice there are two of these threads?
You do realize you posted the same thread 15 minutes before this one. By the way you are getting flamed in that other thread for not reading sticky threads. They are sticky for a reason. The one in general and the bible have pretty much everything you might want.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
doesn't matter
It doesn't matter whether you are a noob or know what u talkin....
Anytime you create a new thread in the Dev section(twice!!) with such a basic question....you are asking for it....search man search!!
Mods please move....
You should be searching, but ignore the a**holes, just in the future make sure you check out all stickies and abuse the search function ( and NEVER double post, because then even I wont feel bad for you)...otherwise you are welcoming the douchebags to come out from under their rocks and prey on fresh meat
to answer your questions, you do not have to "unlock" the phone. Just root the phone in order to obtain Superuser and Busybox. Install "OCLF" from the market, this is the easiest and fastest way to root your device. And from there just read up on ROMs/Mods for yourself to see what you want. Most ROM threads have specific installation instructions, good luck.
This phone is so easy to mod, its silly. However, sometimes it can be TOO easy, in the sense where if someone gets caught up in the simplicity and starts rushing, you may miss a small detail that could cause major setbacks. Its happened to the best of us, it doesnt mean you dont know what youre doing, it justs means your enot reading carefully. So no matter how simple something may seem/sound, always make you read carefully so as to prevent issues that will cause you to post/panic like crazy.
sader2202 said:
YOU F ing NOOB WHY DID YOU POST THE SAME THING TWICE IN THE WRONG SECTION OF THE FORUM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't taze him bro
Alien1099 said:
Don't taze him bro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1..........
Lets face it.
People can't read anymore. Its a sign of the times. They want an answer ASAP, at the cost of wasting our time and theirs.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
your phone is dead I'll give you $20

[Q] Xperia play root.

Hi guy,
want to know if it possible to root my xperia play without unlocking the bootloader and my phone detail is as below.
Android - 2.3.3
Model: R800i
Thanks
It's completely possible if you use the flashtool OTA method. There are multiple threads about it. It doesn't require unlocking the bootloader.
Sent from my R800
Basically you have to use flashtool to revert back to 2.3.2, run gingerbreak or whatever tool to to get root access, and then do OTA to go back to 2.3.3. It only works with ota, if you use our pc companion you will loose root again
Sent from my R800i using XDA App
is there a risk that i might brick my phone using flashtool to revert back to 2.3.2? also will all my file in the phone or sd card will be wiped out completely after flash back to 2.3.2?
thanks
squall12 said:
is there a risk that i might brick my phone using flashtool to revert back to 2.3.2? also will all my file in the phone or sd card will be wiped out completely after flash back to 2.3.2?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please use the search button. You're not the first one asking this
yes you can
I really don't understand why people don't just answer questions for people on forums like these. Obviously he should've used the search, but that doesn't make his question invalid. You can save him some time and confusion by answering his question directly, I'm sure it would've taken just as much time as it would to type out "USE THE SEARCH."
kershner25 said:
I really don't understand why people don't just answer questions for people on forums like these. Obviously he should've used the search, but that doesn't make his question invalid. You can save him some time and confusion by answering his question directly, I'm sure it would've taken just as much time as it would to type out "USE THE SEARCH."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure I can, but after doing it for so many peoples that creates new threads with the same question, you lose your patience.
Hahah I have been biting my lips in saying the same
There's a reason I said "there are multiple threads about this"
This question keeps getting asked over and over by people who don't bother looking at other threads or using google.
One or two of them actually contain instructions written by me personally.
It gets annoying when people expect you to write a whole guide for them, when they were too damn lazy to look beforehand.
Sent from my R800
learn 2 xda search n00bs
subcu1ture said:
learn 2 xda search n00bs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u can call me newbie since i just got the phone and already found the answer for my root question.
Remarks: This is my 1st smartphone for android and so still very new on android os plus smartphone function.
subcu1ture said:
learn 2 xda search n00bs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Learn some manners!
urm have you seen the number of threads asking exactly the same question?
pretty easy you can just scroll down general and you will see everyone asking the same question.
A good official guide will solve that > > ' I haven't found much success with finding any good locked bootloader guises for nooobs.
Sent from my R800i using XDA App
subcu1ture said:
urm have you seen the number of threads asking exactly the same question?
pretty easy you can just scroll down general and you will see everyone asking the same question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree but you don't have to read them or respond to them if they get on your nerves? If you must then simply post a link to the forum rules or search results.
Searching forums can be time consuming and a pain as the information required is usually lost in a mass of irrelevant threads or posts like these.
Instead of flaming the noobs the posts should be removed or helpful answers provided so when these threads also show in the search results it does not waste peoples time.
Remember just because you don't want to take the time repeating yourself or replying to these posts don't mean other members with knowledge and time on their hands feel the same.

noob alert

hello fellow galaxy note users. i'm new to android and forums so i will ask for some guidance. can some one give me some suggestions what i should do to my great new phone and make it better. i would like some advice on using forum thank you to every one that will help guide a noob
Read this thread completely
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1557549
ROOT Samsung Galaxy Note
See if you know what you want to achieve!!
Then specifically ask the question!!
All are happy to help!!
SHOT from my LOADED GT-N7000!!
Innerstation said:
i would like some advice on using forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The advice is quite simple: read, read and read. Don't be a dyslexic like many round here.
geo.samuel said:
Read this thread completely
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1557549
ROOT Samsung Galaxy Note
See if you know what you want to achieve!!
Then specifically ask the question!!
All are happy to help!!
SHOT from my LOADED GT-N7000!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good reading thank you
chasmodo said:
The advice is quite simple: read, read and read. Don't be a dyslexic like many round here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also helpful but now i'm tired of reading but i understand a lot i didn't know earlier
Doesn't matter. Reeeead some more!
geo.samuel said:
See if you know what you want to achieve!!
Then specifically ask the question!!
All are happy to help!!
SHOT from my LOADED GT-N7000!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i know what i want now. i rooted my phone so how about some suggestion
best way to backup phone
what are your most used apps would like to try some you use
i looked but cant find in setting menu how to make the ringtone play normal
- Get CWM backup, to full backup your device, if you have used ghost/acronis for your PC, it is just like that. another is titanium backup, My backup Pro
- Its depends on your taste, As i always have >100 non stock app on my device, difficult to say which one you like, just search market for different category
- I don't understand your question, but i guess you saying about ascending ring tone??
if yes, there are some mods/ROM available to disacble it. find in development section.
You dont need to root your Note to make it better. It is perfect as it is. Dont listen to these guys wanting you to root unles that is what you want of course
You are already late m8
If you had carefully read 2 post above yours, you cud find, he has already rooted.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
dr.ketan said:
- Get CWM backup, to full backup your device, if you have used ghost/acronis for your PC, it is just like that. another is titanium backup, My backup Pro
- Its depends on your taste, As i always have >100 non stock app on my device, difficult to say which one you like, just search market for different category
- I don't understand your question, but i guess you saying about ascending ring tone??
if yes, there are some mods/ROM available to disacble it. find in development section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you dr.ketan your advice was most helpful about titanium backup. it's a little hard at first but now i understand. i'm coming from a regular phone so this is all very different and exciting for me. i bought it to join 2012 lol
dr.ketan said:
You are already late m8
If you had carefully read 2 post above yours, you cud find, he has already rooted.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry friend. My bad.

[Q] Deleting "Bloatware"

Hello,
I am new to the XDA developer forums so forgive me if i have put this in the wrong part of the forum. I have looked around and thought this was the best place to put this.
I was wondering is there any way of deleting bloatware from the Galaxy s3 GT-I9300 besides rooting? i have been through the applications manager, and used the "All in one toolkit" app. But as far as i could see it would only let me delete certain applications. I have looked into rooting but i am still sitting on the fence whether or not i want to do it as i wouldnt like to end up messing it up and not being able to fix it.
All help is much appreciated and again sorry to moderators/admins if i have put this in the wrong section.
Jamesr1292 said:
Hello,
I am new to the XDA developer forums so forgive me if i have put this in the wrong part of the forum. I have looked around and thought this was the best place to put this.
I was wondering is there any way of deleting bloatware from the Galaxy s3 GT-I9300 besides rooting? i have been through the applications manager, and used the "All in one toolkit" app. But as far as i could see it would only let me delete certain applications. I have looked into rooting but i am still sitting on the fence whether or not i want to do it as i wouldnt like to end up messing it up and not being able to fix it.
All help is much appreciated and again sorry to moderators/admins if i have put this in the wrong section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This should have been in the Q&A forum.
To answer your question, the bloatwares are system apps and to access system files you will have to root your device. Your call, mate.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

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