Database Users

[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

[Q] Nexus 4 Root + OTA updates + Autoroot

Hello guys!
On 25th Jan I'll receive my Nexus 4 when I come back home. (so excited!) So my question to you is how can I get Root access and still getting the OTA updates from google.
Here's the whole story -
I want to root my Nexus right away. (this includes unlocking the bootloader and rooting it as far as I'm concerned)
I want to be able to receive OTA updates, because I'm not interested in flashing custom ROMs (for now).
I want my Nexus to keep its root state after update. I've heard that some guys did this on their N7s so I guess it's possible.
The reason I want this is because I like stock ROM and would like to receive new goodies that Google might be pushing out. Also I'd like to be able to flash some mods and install some useful apps that require root. This is the whole deal.
So, can somebody guide me to how to do all this? (not the actual steps, but links, articles, posts etc.)
Thank you very much!

OTA Root Keeper
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.projectvoodoo.otarootkeeper
1/root without flashing recovery
2/Don't modify any of your system file
3/Receive OTA notification
4/protect root using Root Keeper
5/Apply OTA
6/Restore root
That's very little work. If you want all of that (like 4 taps in a year) automated, you already spent more work writting this post
Sent from my Nexus 4 in a Faraday cage

Understanding rooting in my brand new Nexus 4

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

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

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

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

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

[Q] Rooting and Key Lime Pie

Hey,
I have a question regarding rooting and upgrading.
Before i root, I would like to know if I do root, how will I upgrade to KLP when it is released for nexus 10?
Do i have to restore?

It depends on the situation. If you root, using a backup app like carbon or titanium backup will ensure anytime you update or change a rom you keep all your goodies. If your root only and don't change your rom you will get the OTA and it will lose root (easy to fix) and your stuff will stay.
Changing your rom is a different story though
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

So on stock...
altimax98 said:
It depends on the situation. If you root, using a backup app like carbon or titanium backup will ensure anytime you update or change a rom you keep all your goodies. If your root only and don't change your rom you will get the OTA and it will lose root (easy to fix) and your stuff will stay.
Changing your rom is a different story though
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on stock, but when klp releases, can i just update ? Would jb> klp be too big of a change that a lot of bugs may arise?
For example, I used to have a rooted nook color, it updated and I got unrooted... There ended up being bugs even after I rerooted it...
I am just wondering is updating then rerooting the correct method...

add12364 said:
I'm on stock, but when klp releases, can i just update ? Would jb> klp be too big of a change that a lot of bugs may arise?
For example, I used to have a rooted nook color, it updated and I got unrooted... There ended up being bugs even after I rerooted it...
I am just wondering is updating then rerooting the correct method...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's stock Google software. I had a Nook Color as well and they tried to block root on it anyway they could. There is no knowing if the upgrade to KLP will be easy (history tells us it will be) and root should be on board almost immediately after release, at the very worst you would have to reroot but that is nothing.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

altimax98 said:
It's stock Google software. I had a Nook Color as well and they tried to block root on it anyway they could. There is no knowing if the upgrade to KLP will be easy (history tells us it will be) and root should be on board almost immediately after release, at the very worst you would have to reroot but that is nothing.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!

Other question in the same vein:
I have a rooted n10, but I changed the kernel. Will I have to revert to update?

Probably yes, but worth a shot first, atthe kernel question. I'm just going to wait utnil a AOKP KLP comes out, myself.

About Key Lime Pie I read somewhere that KLP will ne only available on quad core devices..
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

When you are rooted there is no point to updating to a new Android version via OTA. You simply go from the ROM you are on, to installing a new version of the same ROM based on the new Android version. Developers like to keep their ROM updated, so usually you will see all the most popular ROMs updated to the latest and greatest version of Android within a day.
If you try to do OTA then you usually lose root, you often have to re-lock your bootloader, you have ton verify you are on the stock rom AND kernel, and then still hope you are "stock enough" to have the update be successful. That is just way too much work and not worth it at all when the alternative is to just flash a new version of a ROM and be done with it.

EniGmA1987 said:
When you are rooted there is no point to updating to a new Android version via OTA. You simply go from the ROM you are on, to installing a new version of the same ROM based on the new Android version. Developers like to keep their ROM updated, so usually you will see all the most popular ROMs updated to the latest and greatest version of Android within a day.
If you try to do OTA then you usually lose root, you often have to re-lock your bootloader, you have ton verify you are on the stock rom AND kernel, and then still hope you are "stock enough" to have the update be successful. That is just way too much work and not worth it at all when the alternative is to just flash a new version of a ROM and be done with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends if you are stock rooted or on a custom rom...
If you are stock rooted but have Twrp you could do the OTA reboot to recovery and root checker will install super SU for you
If you don't have Twrp... Nexus devices are easy to root anyways
Or use an OTA root keeper app

[Q] Should i Root?

I receive my Nexus 4 tomorrow, Im still debating whether i should root the phone or just keep it stock, any recommendations? Thank you

Depends if you want to enhance your user experience or be happy with how it is
I say root but use it a couple days and once you find that you're installing apps that require su permissions then root it.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

zeffy621 said:
I receive my Nexus 4 tomorrow, Im still debating whether i should root the phone or just keep it stock, any recommendations? Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ideally NO!
First use for a couple of days and check for any software or hardware related issues also check the battery backup with stock rom,kernel and then you are free to root.

Rohit02 said:
Ideally NO!
First use for a couple of days and check for any software or hardware related issues also check the battery backup with stock rom,kernel and then you are free to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what rom/kernal do you use?

zeffy621 said:
what rom/kernal do you use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
currently stock with franco kernel as rumors are out that 4.3 is goin to be released this week/month.

Rohit02 said:
currently stock with franco kernel as rumors are out that 4.3 is goin to be released this week/month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keeping the stock rom will not let you update to 4.3 if you have a custom recovery installed. //not true

I couldn't imagine using an unrooted phone, rooted mine within hours. But as suggested, you should check yours first for a couple of days for defects, then root.
Sent from my blazing fast Nexus 4

abaaaabbbb63 said:
Keeping the stock rom will not let you update to 4.3 if you have a custom recovery installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Having a custom recovery will not prevent you from receiving or installing the ota update
From my BLACKED OUT N4

spaceman860 said:
Having a custom recovery will not prevent you from receiving or installing the ota update
From my BLACKED OUT N4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? Well, one learns new things every day.

Idk why you would get a nexus and not root. They're made for that. Screen color calibration, pie for more screen space, smoothness and longer battery life, USB otg. The list goes on! I didn't even use mine stock for more than a couple of minutes
Sent from my Nexus 4

One word.....Greenify!!

938 tiatesd
zeffy621 said:
I receive my Nexus 4 tomorrow, Im still debating whether i should root the phone or just keep it stock, any recommendations? Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of the few Android devices that I own, stock systems have a few disadvantages to my taste:
1. BLOATWARE UP THE A$$
2. SO-SO OPERATING SPEED AND SOME LAG
3. DULL "EVERYBODY-HAS-IT" STOCK SYSTEM => BORING
Advantages of stock systems:
1. Somewhat more or most stable.
2. Much simpler to adjust settings without too many new technical terms or technicalities.
3. Warranty stays if you have it.
I'm still new and still play around with custom ROMs, as I am heavy on eliminating of proprietary software staying on my devices, both computers and smartphones. If it's there, it has to serve a purpose; otherwise, it MUST be gone, not just DISABLED.

I'd definitely root it! To get all the extra goodies which stock doesn't have (like Pie, hide navbar, themes, tweaks, undervolting, underclocking, adblock etc). But try out stock vanilla android and see it root is actually needed for you.