Database Users

Stay Stock? Gotta Root?

Not an N7 owner yet - it's on my xMas list. Santa's gotta come through for me.
As a GNex owner, rooting my phone was a no-brainer. I got sick of VZW's bloatware and VZW is miserably slow on pushing out updates. I am not a crack-flasher - I am happy to stay with a specific ROM/kernel that works.
I was wondering if most N7 owners had the same sentiment as most of us GNex'ers - stock is just not acceptable - gotta root.
Or, is stock somehow more acceptable on the N7?

The Stock Rom on the N7 is good but I rooted mine because i use some apps that need root and i use a custom kernel. I think it's not necessary but if you don't use Google+ Currents and so on, you can save some space by deleting them with root. But why don't you wait for yours and see if you like it or not ? Rooting is very easy so there should be no problem in doing it

Root, allows you to use OTG to store huge apps on Flash drive instead of eating so pace and backup with titanium backup!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

I stayed stock. It's perfect for my use, and it replaces my laptop, so: no data loss allowed, no sod's, and no screwed flashing which requires a full wipe... I don't want to do the same as on my gnex ^^ at least one device that runs normal ^^
Like I said, stock is very nice, even though 4.2 made it a bit different. ( others report, got mine for a few days)
Battery life is nice, performance is awesome (sometimes I just open and close the drawer, open apps and close them, just to see how beautiful the transitions are ) and I have nothing to nag on... I recommend you to try stock for a few days and decide yourself if you need root, or a custom kernel etc. ^^
And if you say you want to root for like 50%, then I would unlock the bootloader before setting everything up
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I've rooted every single Android phone that I've owned. With that said, I have felt no need to root my Nexus7 and I've had it since July. OTG can be used as read-only with an app, no root required.

I'm running the stock android but it's rooted of course. The stock android nets me around 14-20 hours on a full charge. That using chrome to search the net and playing YouTube videos.
Plan on staying with the stock android with root access.
Sent from my Nexus 7

schism70 said:
I've rooted every single Android phone that I've owned. With that said, I have felt no need to root my Nexus7 and I've had it since July. OTG can be used as read-only with an app, no root required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Requires root to use bind directory to play games straight from flash drives.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Thanks for the feedback so far. I figured that the stock/root decision is a personal one that a person makes after they try out the N7, but still it's interesting to see what decisions you folks make, and why.

I'm in a similar situation as I'll be getting mine in a few days.
All I plan on doing is rooting right away, just so I can get rid of some of the bloatware, and then I've always got the option to chuck on a custom ROM/kernel if I don't like the stock feeling of it.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

Thanks again for the input!

I've rooted but am otherwise on stock. I had game progress and stiff that I wanted to port over. I don't plan on flashing a custom ROM. I really like the stock JB, so for now I'm perfectly happy running rooted stock.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda app-developers app

schism70 said:
I've rooted every single Android phone that I've owned. With that said, I have felt no need to root my Nexus7 and I've had it since July. OTG can be used as read-only with an app, no root required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. I don't see the point.

Ordered my Nexus 4!

Hey guys!,
Some might have seen my earlier post in which I didn't know which phone I should take. It was between the Nexus 4 and S3, well today I made the ultimate decision and went with the!....NEXUS 4
So I would like to ask: When I get the phone, what is the first thing to do? Recommended apps. Amazing widgets etc?
I'm really exited as it's also my first Android/Smart-phone currently have a Samsung Star so yeah

ZyreHD said:
Hey guys!,
Some might have seen my earlier post in which I didn't know which phone I should take. It was between the Nexus 4 and S3, well today I made the ultimate decision and went with the!....NEXUS 4
So I would like to ask: When I get the phone, what is the first thing to do? Recommended apps. Amazing widgets etc?
I'm really exited as it's also my first Android/Smart-phone currently have a Samsung Star so yeah
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would unlock the bootloader first, this will result in a full wipe, then flash a custom recovery, then ... have fun and try out some roms

Good decision . Samsung Phones have always the same bugs since the S1. I'm shure you will be satisfied

Hello guy!
When you get the phone, IMHO, you MUST read the XDA's guides for unlock and root your terminal...then you can install Titanium Backup, ES File Explorer and CPU spy...un amazing widget is One More Clock...ENJOY!

I might root it but not directly. What can I do first?
:laugh: very exited!

You should do the boring root/bootloader unlocking first. It takes around 10 minutes, and it'll format everything. If you do it while you have a thousand apps installed, you'll lose them all and go back to the way it was on day one.
As for the rest, I installed emulators on mine, I can finally play Majora's Mask (I was so jealous of my friends when I was 9 because everyone but me had a nintendo 64...), and I do it in the train!

SGS_elko said:
Good decision . Samsung Phones have always the same bugs since the S1. I'm shure you will be satisfied
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't agree more (switched to N4 from S3)...

It does sound like something fun .
How is CM 10.1 on the Nexus 4? I do know some guys who did that but what are the benefits? I thought CM was just like stock Android.
Does CM 10.1 also have the quick toggles in the notification bar like the S3 has? Those green toggles?

Why do newbies always go for cm? Must be the cool animation at boot up.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Try out different ROMs. Popular ones are ParanoidAndroid, CM10.1, liquid smooth, etc. I have PA and absolutely love it.
If you want to combine PA, cm10.1, and AOKP ROMs all together in a single ROM, try out the PACmon ROM. I personally haven't tried it.
Sent from my Nexus 4

jamesc760 said:
Why do newbies always go for cm? Must be the cool animation at boot up.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CM is popular, trustworthy and close to stock so if you were new the better question would be why wouldn't you go for CM? It's the least daunting one, especially if you're worried about flashing and stuff.

[Q] Some questions about installing a custom ROM on my Nexus 4

I know there might be so many threads asking questions about Custom ROMs and mine is going to be no different.
I have few questions about Custom ROMs & Moreover, one of my good friends has been trying to convince me to install a Custom ROM on my Nexus 4. He has done the same on his Nexus 4 and is really happy with it.
First of all, what advantages does a custom ROM has over stock ROM? (a little bit of details would be really really appreciated)
Second, if I am going to install one, I would really love to know what options I have & how much good & bad they are.
At last, I would welcome any other suggestions or tips.
Hope you will have a good day!

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2180999
That will help.
Basically all of the ROMs, except that Optimus G port, will be fully functional. Your task will be to try a few, figure out which options you want and decide on the one you want. We cannot tell you what is good for you.
Start with Paranoid Android, CM and AOKP if you want loads of features.

My approach towards custom ROM is more about getting better software on my phone. With Nexus4, you can be assured that you will get the latest software always, but Better? Not always. CustomROM follow non-traditional approach avoiding bloatwares (not any for nexus I believe), optimizing for the performance and/or battery life, providing more functions and S/W upgrades.
I haven't flashed custom ROM yet on my Nexus 4, because simply I don't have any reason for it. I am happy with stock android, with battery life & with the performance of my handset.
Apart from all this, there is one more aspect,'Personal interest'. If you have that, go ahead, there are plenty of good options waiting for your attention on XDA

This will help as well.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2284384&highlight=rom+advantage

2-3 features I absolutely love which will probably never make into stock roms are -
Sweep2wake - buttons have limited life, and because this Nexus 4 doesn't have warranty in India, it matters a lot. I just sweep on the screen to activate it. And tap on a notification to lock it.
Pie Controls (I have completely disabled the navigation bar. I have a full 4.7 inch content screen)
CM Profiles - can't appreciate this enough. Very useful to filter out notifications during night when you want minimal distribution.
Keeping features aside, I have over clocked the cpu to 1.7 Ghz.
And Linaro patches for tool chain with which the rom is compiled, improves smoothness and battery life.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

ankurk said:
I know there might be so many threads asking questions about Custom ROMs and mine is going to be no different.
I have few questions about Custom ROMs & Moreover, one of my good friends has been trying to convince me to install a Custom ROM on my Nexus 4. He has done the same on his Nexus 4 and is really happy with it.
First of all, what advantages does a custom ROM has over stock ROM? (a little bit of details would be really really appreciated)
Second, if I am going to install one, I would really love to know what options I have & how much good & bad they are.
At last, I would welcome any other suggestions or tips.
Hope you will have a good day!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you decide to install ParanoidAndroid you get customizable navbar and notification bar. You can set the heigh of the navbar and also the backgroundcolor and iconcolor for both bars. PA have HybridSettings. You can display the calendar app on your smartphone like it would be on a tablet.
I tried CM and PA and i'm now on PA because of the customisations and the better implemented pie. Both are very stable and the battery is for me like with stock.
But there are a lot of ROMs and like already said you have to find "your" ROM

First of all, I apologize for replying late. Secondly, thanks for your answers, they helped me a lot. I actually have one more question,
I want as much as customization and little bit more battery life, which ROM is really good for that?
Moreover, is there any comprehensive list of custom ROMs for Nexus 4?

Once you go custom rom, you will never return to stock rom. Go for it. You won't regret it.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

ankurk said:
First of all, I apologize for replying late. Secondly, thanks for your answers, they helped me a lot. I actually have one more question,
I want as much as customization and little bit more battery life, which ROM is really good for that?
Moreover, is there any comprehensive list of custom ROMs for Nexus 4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Battery life is similar between most roms. Custom kernels play a larger role in battery.
ROMs based on AOKP generally have the most customization settings. These include liquid smooth, carbon, etc...
Heres a directory of roms for the n4, but its best to just go through the Android Development/Original Android Development section and look for one you like.

badboy47 said:
Once you go custom rom, you will never return to stock rom. Go for it. You won't regret it.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I beg to differ
I downgraded my GNex back to 4.1. It lags so badly with 4.2

exb0 said:
I beg to differ
I downgraded my GNex back to 4.1. It lags so badly with 4.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my gnex flies on 4.2.2.

simms22 said:
my gnex flies on 4.2.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must be doing something right then! On CM10.1 , after about a week of usage, it would take me about a minute to start up ANY apps. It's ridiculous. Oh well.

exb0 said:
You must be doing something right then! On CM10.1 , after about a week of usage, it would take me about a minute to start up ANY apps. It's ridiculous. Oh well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i run rasbean/rassaber with the trinity kernel. using the phone(not benchmarking), its hard to tell if its any slower than my nexus 4.

simms22 said:
i run rasbean/rassaber with the trinity kernel. using the phone(not benchmarking), its hard to tell if its any slower than my nexus 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm, I'll give it a try. It feels a LOT slower than my N4. Not sure why..

exb0 said:
hmm, I'll give it a try. It feels a LOT slower than my N4. Not sure why..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you try it, let me know how it goes for you, i think youll like it.

simms22 said:
if you try it, let me know how it goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps in awhile. My girlfriend is using it and she's a huge PA fan. She wiped my phone without me knowing to flash PA.. :C
Sent from Halo.

exb0 said:
Perhaps in awhile. My girlfriend is using it and she's a huge PA fan. She wiped my phone without me knowing to flash PA.. :C
Sent from Halo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ha

Don't want to steal this thread but if you root do you loose any functionality ?for example Google wallet , photosphere or the android beam feature ? I only rooted a g2x and im kind of nervous rooting my nexus 4 especially because it don't have a removable SD card , when you back up your current ROM, do you up load it to a cloud service so you can get it later if needed ?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

g2uzer said:
Don't want to steal this thread but if you root do you loose any functionality ?for example Google wallet , photosphere or the android beam feature ? I only rooted a g2x and im kind of nervous rooting my nexus 4 especially because it don't have a removable SD card , when you back up your current ROM, do you up load it to a cloud service so you can get it later if needed ?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google wallet will warn you. Others would stay.
No, I keep it on the phone or my computer.
Sent from Halo.

g2uzer said:
Don't want to steal this thread but if you root do you loose any functionality ?for example Google wallet , photosphere or the android beam feature ? I only rooted a g2x and im kind of nervous rooting my nexus 4 especially because it don't have a removable SD card , when you back up your current ROM, do you up load it to a cloud service so you can get it later if needed ?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting does not take away anything, except DRM keys.
You can always download factory image and flash it using fast boot. Factory image is available at Google.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Just switched from the m8

Not sure if I'm going to root yet as I'm still trying to get used to this phone. So far it seems ok.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

tommason1968 said:
Not sure if I'm going to root yet as I'm still trying to get used to this phone. So far it seems ok.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting will not change the phone experience in any way... Swapping ROMs improve it though.
Welcome to the Note 4, I'm sure you'll love it!

Let us know how your experience goes.
I really love my Note 4. I am currently running Infamous ROM 2.8 and the performance is incredible. It blows the stock ROM out of the water.

Welcome to a real camera

I'm in a similar situation. Came from using a nexus 4. Not sure if I want to root or which Samsung apps people tend to turn off and which they find useful. Fun stuff though. I think I'm gonna wait for lollipop update and decide then.

keasey said:
I'm in a similar situation. Came from using a nexus 4. Not sure if I want to root or which Samsung apps people tend to turn off and which they find useful. Fun stuff though. I think I'm gonna wait for lollipop update and decide then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go a week or more and then decide which apps you'd like to freeze or leave alone.
Should be enough time to get a feel for it and decide which apps you like.

I would like to know if there is any way to get the voice activation on Google now to work while S-voice is on
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

Rayan said:
Rooting will not change the phone experience in any way...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, but it will.. And it does. Rooting alone allows you to do most of the things you can do on a custom ROM, but you're doing it to the stock ROM. Even without a custom recovery, you can still modify system files, freeze/uninstall system apps, run root apps, etc.

Towle said:
Oh, but it will.. And it does. Rooting alone allows you to do most of the things you can do on a custom ROM, but you're doing it to the stock ROM. Even without a custom recovery, you can still modify system files, freeze/uninstall system apps, run root apps, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I know that, but I meant rooting alone does not degrade the experience. As you rightfully said, the experience can be improved drastically while rooted even on stock firmware.
Cheers ?
Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

tommason1968 said:
I would like to know if there is any way to get the voice activation on Google now to work while S-voice is on
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a look around the Q&A and General sections. Most questions you have, already have been asked
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4-tmobile/general/google-s-voice-t2910499

i also have an upgrade available but im not sure if i should use it on the note 4. it is tempting but in a few months the m9 will be here along with other s810 processor based devices. Plus i hear the n4s battery life isnt that great.

fix-this! said:
i also have an upgrade available but im not sure if i should use it on the note 4. it is tempting but in a few months the m9 will be here along with other s810 processor based devices. Plus i hear the n4s battery life isnt that great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The battery has no problem lasting all day
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

I would definitely root and flash a ROM asap. Stock rom is ok but any of the TouchWiz ROM for T Mobile will flat out just feel snappier.

Played with a n4 at bestbuy today. Lagged like hell for me. Even the samsung rep saw it. To say the least i walked away.

tommason1968 said:
Not sure if I'm going to root yet as I'm still trying to get used to this phone. So far it seems ok.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to the majors op. You'll love it. I had an m8 before. The freedom of having an unlocked bootloader, root, and plenty custom roms got me away from HTC, as well.
No more having to s-off and the firewater exploits being closed and lack of roms.

fix-this! said:
i also have an upgrade available but im not sure if i should use it on the note 4. it is tempting but in a few months the m9 will be here along with other s810 processor based devices. Plus i hear the n4s battery life isnt that great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you hear that the battery life isn't good?
I typically get 2.5 days per full charge with between 4.5 and 6 hours of screen on time per charge depending on if I am reading, or doing media (games, youtube).
If anything I would wait for the Note 5, but that will be a while. I'd suggest getting the Note 4 because it's quite simply a very amazing beast of a phone and then using JUMP to upgrade in 6 months if you so desire.

fix-this! said:
Played with a n4 at bestbuy today. Lagged like hell for me. Even the samsung rep saw it. To say the least i walked away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Roflmao lag ok
fix-this! said:
i also have an upgrade available but im not sure if i should use it on the note 4. it is tempting but in a few months the m9 will be here along with other s810 processor based devices. Plus i hear the n4s battery life isnt that great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Battery is great I got 2 days or more with 7 to 9 hours of screen time

Android_Monsters said:
Welcome to the majors op. You'll love it. I had an m8 before. The freedom of having an unlocked bootloader, root, and plenty custom roms got me away from HTC, as well.
No more having to s-off and the firewater exploits being closed and lack of roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Compared to the process of rooting a htc how difficult is it to root the note 4
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

It's way easier to root the note 4:
You're in in 5.
Here are the instructions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2903733
---------- Post added at 03:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:43 AM ----------
Had to do one at my parents house.
It took me 10 minutes because I was downloading a rom, at the same time, and my parents internet sucks.

fix-this! said:
Played with a n4 at bestbuy today. Lagged like hell for me. Even the samsung rep saw it. To say the least i walked away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which Best Buy? From what I've seen at nearly all my local Best Buy they only have dummy phones and none of them carry t mobile phones

Are Root& ROM's dead?

Like the title says...seeing that Android Pay is disabled when rooted, what is the future of rooted phones and by extension ROM's?

sluflyer06 said:
Like the title says...seeing that Android Pay is disabled when rooted, what is the future of rooted phones and by extension ROM's?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Highly doubt developers will stop making ROM's just because of something like Android Pay.

stevew84 said:
Highly doubt developers will stop making ROM's just because of something like Android Pay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android pay is novel and CAN make life easier, but it's not a necessity or something 90% of users will be using so I doubt root and custom roms are in any danger or extinction based on just android pay.
Sent from my SM-G530H using Tapatalk

I personally am finding very little reason to root anymore. The only added benefit would be adblocking but I can live with it just for Android Pay. Native tethering works. System UI Tuner settings does most of the things I wanted for GravityBox.

toyanucci said:
Android pay is novel and CAN make life easier, but it's not a necessity or something 90% of users will be using so I doubt root and custom roms are in any danger or extinction based on just android pay.
Sent from my SM-G530H using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am so curious to know how did you come up with that 90% number...

luciferiusXI said:
I am so curious to know how did you come up with that 90% number...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did a personal pole lolol. How many people do YOU know who own an android phone that uses android pay? Also how many places do you know that takes android pay? The percentage is probably higher than 90% actually...
Sent from my SM-G530H using Tapatalk

Does imprint still work if rooted?

Personally i couldn't care less about paying with my phone when my wallet and everything I need to carry is with me regardless. Regardless of that people have gotten android pay working with rooted devices. Root, adblock / do your thing and the unroot. Add your cards and pay as you normally would. Most people don't need root 24/7 so you can have your cake and eat it too.
Don't want to root? Enjoy your ads. Or use one of the proxy services just hope they treat your data well.

Far from it, there will be plenty of XDA N6p roms to go around! Happy Flashing

adamsweeting said:
Does imprint still work if rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure anyone has root yet, but my device has the bootloader unlocked and imprint still works.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

adamsweeting said:
Does imprint still work if rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why are people asking this question? It seems so nonsensical to me...S5 had root and a fingerprint scanner, s6, note 5, tab s etc. Why would root stop a hardware feature like a fingerprint scanner?!
Sent from my SM-G530H using Tapatalk

sluflyer06 said:
Like the title says...seeing that Android Pay is disabled when rooted, what is the future of rooted phones and by extension ROM's?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root and custom roms are not synonymous. You can have root on the stock rom on your phone and you can have a custom rom without root. For example, I have a custom rom right now without root, as I need to use apps that don't work with root, but I still want features from a custom rom.

toyanucci said:
Why are people asking this question? It seems so nonsensical to me...S5 had root and a fingerprint scanner, s6, note 5, tab s etc. Why would root stop a hardware feature like a fingerprint scanner?!
Sent from my SM-G530H using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Errm - because I haven't owned any of those devices I wasn't "in the know", so I asked the question. Jeez.

There are no custom roms. There is only Chroma.

i doubt it will die however paying with your phone has put a dent in the community as well as made android have more security because of it, plus apps like adguard, and for samsung there are disable apps that don't require root and no ads and app disabling are the only two things some people want.

Won't die. Even more so in countries like mine which refuse to support Android Pay or any other form of mobile credit payment
Sent from my SM-N910T3 using Tapatalk

luciferiusXI said:
I am so curious to know how did you come up with that 90% number...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you need it? It's a god damn sham. Google wallet has been there for ages no one complaint and have been rooting phones since it existed.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

God no root is a massive pain.
No ad blocking, going from no ads to all ads between my 6 and 6P even XDA is bad !
Also I like to hide the nav bar to negate the burn in issues of AMOLED, don't care what anyone says these screens WILL burn in its because of the technology.
3. Tweeked stock ROMs with proper reboot options and circle battery and such

Wait for Xposed.
When Xposed is available you can install a cloak and use Pay.
I use pay on my LG G3 with Xposed and root.
Cards need to be added without Xposed installed.
To use Pay you either need to disable root or cloak it.
Not a big deal.

Zimeron said:
Root and custom roms are not synonymous. You can have root on the stock rom on your phone and you can have a custom rom without root. For example, I have a custom rom right now without root, as I need to use apps that don't work with root, but I still want features from a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't know this thought you had to have root to flash custom roms
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Premium 4 mobile app