Database Users

Why I'm hesitating to root...

Hi Folks,
My first post on N4 section.
Ive just upgraded from a HTC Sensation that I've been running for two years, mostly using CM9 & CM10 on it, so Im well aware of all the benefits to root.
Even been lucky enough to have some of the excellent Devs cooking in this section over at Sensation workbench too, like Showp's kernel with Sweep2wake.
So far, my Nexus has not been rooted, and although I miss custom Rom-ing, im very excited to say that not rooting means that some apps like SkyGo and Barclays Mobile banking & Barclays PingIt are working very nicely for me indeed, something that never happened on my Sensation.
Since my go-to rom on Sensation was AOSP anyway, Im pleased with my stock Android for now, and it just seems that some of the apps I can use now are pushing me into the non-root territory.... for now.
Anyone with any thoughts on my current predicament?

I don't see anything wrong with it although you are going to lose data the moment you decide to root. Unlocking the bootloader would wipe data off your phone if I remember correctly. (Nexus noob as I came from Desire.)
via xda app

Agreed, I rooted my xperia, HTC evo and HP touchpad just to run AOSP. My nexus is staying stock for a long time, like you its very convenient to use the Barclays apps, only thing that might tempt me to root is to block ads....
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

I was in your boat with my HTC vivid. That thing had to be rooted to make it actually useful. But with the N4, I have no need to root. Ironic, don't you think? We finally get the phone that screams to mod it with how easy it is to root and yet we don't...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

While I respect all of your decisions to hold off on rooting, I will recommend that even if you don't root, unlock your boot loader ASAP because as mentioned above, your data IS wiped when you do so and it is necessary to do so if you ever decide to root in the future.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

I have taken a look at the nexus 4 toolkit by mskip and you backup apps and data before unlocking then restore.... So I don't think it really matters.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

stankyou said:
I don't see anything wrong with it although you are going to lose data the moment you decide to root. Unlocking the bootloader would wipe data off your phone if I remember correctly. (Nexus noob as I came from Desire.)
via xda app
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Hmm I didn't lose data when I rooted..
Also without root you can't make the most of your battery with under clicking, screen off profiles, cpu sleeper, etc.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

VoiD_Dweller said:
Hmm I didn't lose data when I rooted..
Also without root you can't make the most of your battery with under clicking, screen off profiles, cpu sleeper, etc.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
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As soon as I unlock the bootloader, my data is wiped. Maybe you used toolkits and such like what the other guy said and had that option to save stuff. As for me I prefer command lines as much as possible.
via xda app

I'm in the same place as you. One of my main reasons for using custom ROMs was because I loved the look of AOSP. Now I have AOSP, I'm less tempted to flash anything or root, because everything works and looks good.

stankyou said:
As soon as I unlock the bootloader, my data is wiped. Maybe you used toolkits and such like what the other guy said and had that option to save stuff. As for me I prefer command lines as much as possible.
via xda app
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Guide stickied in this forum has a how-to on ADB Backups.
Perform the backup as outlined and unlock...
Restore as outlined and it's as though nothing ever happened...all data restored.

Well, had the Evo V before this and I rooted/modded it to look/run like this phone runs out of the box so I don't plan on rooting at all.
Sent from my Nexus 4

joshnichols189 said:
While I respect all of your decisions to hold off on rooting, I will recommend that even if you don't root, unlock your boot loader ASAP because as mentioned above, your data IS wiped when you do so and it is necessary to do so if you ever decide to root in the future.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
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Will unlocking Bootloader mean apps that don't work on Root phones stop functioning?

No unlocked DOES NOT equal root
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Qualcomm BatteryGuru vs. Greenify

Can't sleep tonight so just researching apps this morning. Have you guys or gals used either? Do you recommend one over the other?
BatteryGuru is officially made by Qualcomm so you would expect it to be pretty key to phone optimisation. Also it didn't require root.
Greenify had received many great reviews and the author is constantly updating which is good. Requires root however.
Thanks!
Sent via my Samsung Galaxy S4 using xda app

Greenify here and happy

I'm running battery guru and it works quite well, it'll take about 5 days to give you some savings, but it works. I'm way more impressed then I ever though I'd be...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

Questions and help issues go in Q&A
Thread moved

Using Greenify, works great.
Sent from my Galaxy S4

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I'm testing Snapdragon BatteryGuru so far but still learning and will let you know how it helps. Scared to root yet!
Sent via my Samsung Galaxy S4 using xda app

Khalsa4G said:
Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I'm testing Snapdragon BatteryGuru so far but still learning and will let you know how it helps. Scared to root yet!
Sent via my Samsung Galaxy S4 using xda app
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No real reason to be scared to root any more. We have the stock images in case you soft brick, boot loop, etc. I was worried to, but it was an extremely simple and quick root process. You just plug in the phone and your rooted after a couple mouse clicks
Also, I recommend freezing the ota applications in TiBu. Never know when at&t may send an OTA that could patch the boot loader exploit. Better be safe than sorry with this one.
Sorry to drag the thread off topic. Just thought I would throw in my $.02 after your comment on rooting. Best of luck
-------------------------------------------------------
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy S4 - Stock 4.2.2 Rooted

How does that greenify app work? Say you select all your apps, and then it hibernates them does it wake up when needed or if you get a message or notification?

The app specifically says not to enable apps that have certain notifications such as SMS and whatnot, so I would make sure that you don't do it to apps that you need to be notified.

SysAdmNj said:
How does that greenify app work? Say you select all your apps, and then it hibernates them does it wake up when needed or if you get a message or notification?
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Click to collapse
They will wake up when you open them, then hibernate when you close them. Basically if you use it for all apps expect to not mulitask at all (looking at messages, wont recieve phone calls; looking at Internet, wont recieve SMS)

If you have to use either one you don't know how to save your battery. Get better battery stats and learn what is causing your battery drain. These apps only use battery.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

jd1639 said:
If you have to use either one you don't know how to save your battery. Get better battery stats and learn what is causing your battery drain. These apps only use battery.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
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Greenify uses a lot less battery then tons of bad apps running. I like using Facebook app but couldn't careless about the notifications and such. Yes I coukd go in and stop them but not all apps let me (cnet for example) so having a single place to hibernate the apps I dont want running in the background is nice.

Backup help

I'm trading in my note 2 tomorrow and I want to completely back up the phone and then have all my apps and app data on my new phone I'm not rooted how can I do this
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app

craigels said:
I'm trading in my note 2 tomorrow and I want to completely back up the phone and then have all my apps and app data on my new phone I'm not rooted how can I do this
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
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Samsung Kies if your on windows/os x

I don't have access to a laptop or computer are there any other options
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app

does kies include saving app data like saving game progress, for example you reach level 10 of a certain game with 100 credits, etc . kies is cumbersome for transferring text messages.. not sure if it will work with whatsapp messages too.
i am asking this because soon i will upgrade too to the note 3 and I dont root also. how about the titanium/helium i keep hearing about? thanks, thanks

I tried helium but it kept asking to connect to computer I thought I could just save to sd card
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app

Good Luck with the backup. I found whilst moving from IOS to Android that the backup for non rooted devices leaves a lot to be desired. This is one area Sammy needs to get sorted out properly. I mean can they not emulate / copy itunes or somethng? lol

itunes saves app data? sorry im clueless about apple-related stuff lol.
some of the games i play can be stored in google cloud but i am not sure if it will work properly on a new phone.
craigel, from what i understand, for sd cards you can store pics, files, etc, as well as apps, just not the complete app data if i am not mistaken

Don't rely on kies. It's garbage.
Try Mybackup

(Q) Uninstalling system apps? 4.4.2

I was wondering if there is a way other than either disabling or freezing system apps. If I remove them, it causes settings to fc. This has held true since the 4.4 update. I usually always get ride of apps to free up more space, RAM, ect...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

As I know you can only disable system apps(as I do) but they are still there and without root you can not completely delete or modify system apps, which is basicly leaves you with a custom rom.

If it's force closing when you disable them then the best thing you can do is just install a custom Rom and kernel. If you like stock then I suggest Nexus 5 Experience with Franco kernel.

I use an app called systemapp remover. In 4.3, maybe theres an update.
Enviado desde mi Nexus 4 usando Tapatalk 4

jto101680 said:
I was wondering if there is a way other than either disabling or freezing system apps. If I remove them, it causes settings to fc. This has held true since the 4.4 update. I usually always get ride of apps to free up more space, RAM, ect...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
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You can use any file explorer(Solid File Explorer) to uninstall system apps. Titanium Backup to freeze them.

Hey guys sorry for not responding sooner. The problem is that I am rooted and running a custom ROM. There are still certain thing I get ride of (NFC, or calendar storage for example) that I just never use. I've tried on stock, PSX, and Purity with the same results. Remember I'm uninstalling them not freezing or disabling.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

jto101680 said:
Hey guys sorry for not responding sooner. The problem is that I am rooted and running a custom ROM. There are still certain thing I get ride of (NFC, or calendar storage for example) that I just never use. I've tried on stock, PSX, and Purity with the same results. Remember I'm uninstalling them not freezing or disabling.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
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Try uninstaling foreign keyboards , wallpapers e.t.c. Also I have 100mb+ of system space free so I guess your phone is similar so why do you need more. I can understand deleting system apps to get more free ram and space on cheap budget phone's with little of both. The likelihood of you needing to free up either on this phone is slim at best my guess never. Just my thoughts as I am interested in why your doing this.
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bladebuddy said:
Try uninstaling foreign keyboards , wallpapers e.t.c. Also I have 100mb+ of system space free so I guess your phone is similar so why do you need more. I can understand deleting system apps to get more free ram and space on cheap budget phone's with little of both. The likelihood of you needing to free up either on this phone is slim at best my guess never. Just my thoughts as I am interested in why your doing this.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Honestly, I just always have. I have about the same free space as you. I just like having the option of taking the things off of my phone that I don't want on there. What if I did want bone stock, I would be stuck with all that bloat wear. I just always considered it as one of the reasons for rooting your phone.
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jto101680 said:
Honestly, I just always have. I have about the same free space as you. I just like having the option of taking the things off of my phone that I don't want on there. What if I did want bone stock, I would be stuck with all that bloat wear. I just always considered it as one of the reasons for rooting your phone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
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I know where you're coming from as its something I have always done until getting this phone. Don't no what the problem is as all apps I uninstall have been o.k. I always freeze first to make sure there's no surprises then uninstall. You could try greenify from play and put them to sleep if having problems. That said I have no answer to you're specific problem.
Just keep them if its causing problems and enjoy you're phone knowing it can handle the extra unwanted apps.
You could always flash a vanilla android rom ( there's a few about ) with banks minimum gapps and that should do the trick. Just install the apps you need
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Yeah, I'm running Purity with the very minimal banks gapps and the system apps I don't use disabled. It doesn't really bother me. I had asked the same question when 4.4 was first released and I guess figured there was a work around by now. No biggy. Thanks for your incite:thumbup:
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

What to do after root and unlock

Could someone be kind enough to point me in the right direction. I've searched but can't seem to find the basic info. I have very little background in flashing and such.
I rooted my thunderbolt years ago with little guidance and than bought a rooted bionic. But now I'm lost with all the terms. Looking for somewhere that will explain what everything means so I can then choose what os to flash, and how to do it in recovery.
Thank you,
David
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Right now there isn't a whole lot you can do until the devs port custom roms to our phone. They didn't know it was going to be possible to unlock our bootloader or root(after kitkat update) , and therefore didn't put much effort into later versions. At most, you can install the latest CWM and backup your current rom in preparation for if you decide to install custom roms. That's basically where I am right now.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

You can freeze or remove the bloatware. Just make a backup first.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

There is a list of the verified bloatware you can remove with titanium backup without breaking the phone. Just search "Razr HD bloatware" in the forum
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Thanks guys!
T
By the looks of it, I should stay with stick KK for now? I have froze a few apps with titanium but looking for something to improve my battery. I'm going through battery in about 5 hours. I was getting 10-12 on JB. Still looking for a way to go back to JB.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

davfed said:
Thanks guys!
T
By the looks of it, I should stay with stick KK for now? I have froze a few apps with titanium but looking for something to improve my battery. I'm going through battery in about 5 hours. I was getting 10-12 on JB. Still looking for a way to go back to JB.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
Yes stick with KK for now. That's surprising that your battery is draining so fast now. Can you go to your battery usage and see what is sucking up most of your juice? I have heard others state that it took a few days for their phone to settle in after the upgrade (I personally think people were so excited for the new OS that they were just using their phone a lot more than they were before .) I know mine has been draining faster because I've been doing so many things with it since the update. I highly recommend the app "Greenify" since you are rooted. It will automatically hibernate any non-necessary background apps that suck up ram, battery, and data.

bill0405 said:
Yes stick with KK for now. That's surprising that your battery is draining so fast now. Can you go to your battery usage and see what is sucking up most of your juice? I have heard others state that it took a few days for their phone to settle in after the upgrade (I personally think people were so excited for the new OS that they were just using their phone a lot more than they were before .) I know mine has been draining faster because I've been doing so many things with it since the update. I highly recommend the app "Greenify" since you are rooted. It will automatically hibernate any non-necessary background apps that suck up ram, battery, and data.
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Thank a lot for the info. This motocare is sucking up a lot of battery. Don't remember seeing it before. I'm searching now to see what it is and if I should freeze it or hibernate it. Just downloaded greenify and it seems like a great app. Thanks again for your input!!
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

davfed said:
Thank a lot for the info. This motocare is sucking up a lot of battery. Don't remember seeing it before. I'm searching now to see what it is and if I should freeze it or hibernate it. Just downloaded greenify and it seems like a great app. Thanks again for your input!!
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Sure thing. When its all good and working...it should appear something like this

Agree on greenify. It is an truly awesome app for improving battery life! Better battery stats with root use enabled for checking wakelocks also. I had the same experience with motorcare. Major batterydrainer. Being able to properly disable apps, is worth rooting alone.