Help a noob out! - G2 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I just ordered this phone and have some last minute questions.
Should the first thing I do when I get the device be to root it?
Will I loose something if I decide to use it straight out of the box and then later decide to root?
I kinda get the impression that you have to do a factory reset after rooting, am I correct assuming that? If so I might as well begin with rooting.
And lastly, if I root will I be able to receive updates from LG and installing without it messing up the phone?
Sorry for all the questions, even though I've been using Android for several years I really haven't rooted before, so just want to be safe
Anyways, thanks to anyone who wants to teach me and put my worries to rest
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app

If you root you'll lose the opportunity to get OTAs but you can just install them as a stock ROM that's been updated to it.

Thanks for the quick reply! Think I'll have to research a bit more before I make a decision
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app

Related

Root or wait for Android 2.2?

Hey guys, I'm new to the Android community and I'm completely in love with it now that I had the phone for several weeks. Like every other phone I get, I'm always eager to customize it in all the ways possible.
So here is my question, rooting seems simple enough with the great guides you guys have here. However, I've heard that Android 2.2 is right around the corner with new great features. I read that if you upgrade your firmware, it will un-root your phone back to stock.
I'm already hungry to try the new features that a rooted phone can do but I'm thinking that this update is worth waiting for since this phone is new anyways.
Any opinions?
Steps for success:
1. Root phone.
2. Wait for 2.2.
3. Download a 2.2 rom with root.
Were would I find the rooted roms?
DynamicXL said:
Were would I find the rooted roms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the development section.
Its a file you can find . Its not a rom. Your phone will still get the ota even after you root it. Can't say the same for custom roms
Sent using xda app...
Cool, thanks for the quick responds guys.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Absolutely ROOT. I have some things to do once rooted in the sticky, please let me know if you have suggestions.
Rooting have nothing to do with ota update but flashing a customer rom will.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I'm thinking of rooting. My battery life is a joke. The only thing I miss about Nexus One besides trackball notifications.
nick_karstedt said:
Steps for success:
1. Root phone.
2. Wait for 2.2.
3. Download a 2.2 rom with root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i second this
Yeah, I think I'm going to root my phone soon. Thanks for the help!
Fuse8499 said:
I'm thinking of rooting. My battery life is a joke. The only thing I miss about Nexus One besides trackball notifications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure how rooting your phone is going to solve your battery issues? All that rooting does is give you root (superuser) permissions on your phone. You can do this to remove the bloatware that came preinstalled on the phone, run various apps that require root. But I can't think of any way that it's going to allow you to save battery life that you couldn't already do non-rooted.
My only reason to root was for wifi-tethering...
I know the newer version of Facebook is a battery eater. I switched back to the older style and my phone is happy again.
Root is great.
1. Remove bloat apps
2. Remove the annoying T-mobile jingle
3. Root Explorer is fun to play with
I think thats all I've really done so far. Well I should that I've wanted to really do so far.
Rooting isn't working for me otherwise I would have to agree :-(
^ could you give a little more detail, so we can help?
Do you have the update file named update.zip.zip by accident?
I pretty much had the same question. But after a little reading just now I actually understand what rooting is. Helps that I'm familiar with linux! Attempting to root in 5 4 3...
Sent from my SGH-T959 Samsung Vibrant using XDA App w/swype
So if you don't have a data plan you can't get the ota update? You must root? Mine is on AT&T with no data plan right now.
Isn't there much more to rooting then apps and root control? I've seen all the custome ROMs people get to customize the phone and theme just about everything.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
s15274n said:
^ could you give a little more detail, so we can help?
Do you have the update file named update.zip.zip by accident?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I just Have a file named update.zip. I have tried two different methods twice now and once I'm in recovery and go to flash the zip it says it isn't there. I don't know what it is I'm doing wrong.
Sent from my awesome Vibrant using XDA App
So I rooted my phone earlier today. It was unbelievably easy to get the whole set up going.
Haven't had much time to fool around with it yet except for several apps that require root access, mainly to flash and back up my data in case of an oops.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

rooting the phone

So I rooted the phone and I dnt see any difference. I used the galaxy s rooter v6. I just need someone to explain to me whats the purpose of rooting the phone and also what is tge purpose of superuser permission. Thanks. Ohh by the way im new to this rooting stuff
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Elborikinzki said:
So I rooted the phone and I dnt see any difference. I used the galaxy s rooter v6. I just need someone to explain to me whats the purpose of rooting the phone and also what is tge purpose of superuser permission. Thanks. Ohh by the way im new to this rooting stuff
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You use rooting to remove all of the Samsung and T-Mobile bloatware you would not like on the device. Also you can now install custom ROMS when they are made available such as CM6. Which means you can get future software updates such as OS 2.2 (froyo) before Samsung actually rolls it out. There are other benefits to rooting but you'll figure them out as you go.
How do I remove all that tmobile crap off the phone
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Search around on here. There are threads on how to do so. I personally haven't done it yet so I couldn't give you the specifics.
Sent from my awesome Vibrant using XDA App
Please read the sticky before creating a thread. All of your answers are there, and a lot of effort went into it to avoid these type of threads (not trying to sound rude).

[Q] No-loss root found, testers needed

Followup to this msg: We have enough volunteers. I just need to work thru some issues with jcase before we start testing. Please be patient.
Good news everyone...
About 8 days ago I rooted my TB -without-losing-ANYTHING-.
I'd like to get a few volunteers to try the procedure before I make it public...
Anyone with an UN-rooted phone who's willing to be a guinea pig, please PM me. Ideal volunteers would be moderately tech-savvy and not have anything on their phone that would be catastrophic if it were lost.
You'd also be a good candidate to help getting this procedure worked out if you just want to root your phone and don't care if you lose anything...
If you're wondering why I don't just post it, I had several false starts (kept getting interrupted because I didn't allow enough time) and then didn't take detailed notes on the final run where I managed to finish it. I want the instructions to be fairly solid before I throw anyone with critical phone data into the procedure.
I hope you understand and will be patient while I get this properly documented...
We already have root?
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
superchilpil said:
We already have root?
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The current root removes all of your data, he's saying he found a way to do it and not lose any data.
superchilpil said:
We already have root?
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes....but he's looking for testers who possibly won't lose any data, apps, etc., by going to root from stock.
We have root, but any process, automated or manual...will put the phone back to 100% stock and remove any and all user info.
superchilpil said:
We already have root?
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We have root but the current method wipes the data. He has found a way to root without losing data. That's the way I took it.
Edit: both of you beat me to it lol
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
No offense to the OP but once you flash another rom you WILL have to wipe...
Now if its a one click type of root then that's a breakthrough
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
I see the value in this. Some people may just wanna root their TB but not want to install custom ROM. Or they may want to root to see what they can do with a rooted phone.
Thanks for your work but too bad I've already rooted mine.
I'm willing to try it
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Ill try it our for you. Ill unroot when I get home and give your method a shot. Let me know
Sent from my ThunderBolt using XDA App
superchilpil said:
No offense to the OP but once you flash another rom you WILL have to wipe...
Now if its a one click type of root then that's a breakthrough
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not a one-click (I wish...).
If this works for the volunteers, the part in your msg about "... WILL have to wipe." may be obsolete info...
Followup volunteering msgs sent to lgldrgdlr and rjackson23 (who should have PM'ed me...)
I think we have enough volunteers at this time. Thanks.
I'm working with jcase (who may have a missing piece of the puzzle for a no-loss variant that would take MUCH less time to run). I'll keep you informed as this progresses...
wmserver said:
I see the value in this. Some people may just wanna root their TB but not want to install custom ROM. Or they may want to root to see what they can do with a rooted phone.
Thanks for your work but too bad I've already rooted mine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in that boat.. I want root, but not really interested in other ROMs at this time. I went down that road wit hmy X and my Xoom, and its a pain, especially wit hthe Xoom and the move from 3.01 to 3.1 and now 3.2.
I guess one main question is if you root the TB, does it hack the hotspot as well, or would i still need to go get Wireless Tether?
jwb
This would be extremely useful...don't listen to the naysayers.
For those of us who waited to root a week, two, or even a month or two after getting the phone, there was no way to make a solid backup of apps, settings, etc. since most of the better methods require root. So many things had to be wiped clean completely. With a no-wipe root, whether you move onto ROMs or not, you have the opportunity to take a nandroid, use Titanium Backup, etc.
I can't donate my time or phone since I'm busy at work and need a strong daily driver, but I wish you luck.
I just rooted my phone yesterday. I would have liked to try it out and be part of the breathrough.
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using XDA App
Jolest said:
Not a one-click (I wish...).
If this works for the volunteers, the part in your msg about "... WILL have to wipe." may be obsolete info...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great work man Im not trying to bash you
Is it any easyer than our original method? I know alot of people have problems with it because adb is so "scary"
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
superchilpil said:
great work man Im not trying to bash you
Is it any easyer than our original method? I know alot of people have problems with it because adb is so "scary"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry... Unfortunately, it's not any easier. It's an add-on to jcase's root method so it still uses adb. It actually takes about 3 times as much time as his, but most of that time is waiting for backup and restore operations to complete.
Very glad to hear development is still ongoing for root! I like this! I hope it works out well. I'd volunteer but I'm past that point. I ran my dInc stock rooted for a pretty long time before trying a custom ROM. This makes a lot of sense to me.
I'll be watching this. My wife won't let me root her TB because she doesn't want to redo her settings.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
I advise against using this backup method, taking a DD of /data while its r/w can lead to corruption.
A better idea would be to push su (aka a temp root) into your path and use something like titanium backup to backup you data.

AT&T Software Update?

Hi all! I just received an update message from AT&T to update the software of my phone. I am one of those people who is really paranoid and won't update unless I know it'll be beneficial and won't affect anything else at all. I am currently on version i337ucuamdl. I tried looking up the update and I'm not getting to much information. I don't even know what the version is on the update... Can anyone clarify or concur with me?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
If you ever want to put a custom recovery and rom on your phone don't take it.
There is plenty of information about the update in the "General" section if you are serious about learning what it is.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php?searchid=213864485
Here's a search you use to see a lot of things about the MF3. I would recommend staying away from it, I had many problems with it myself with it.
So it turns out this post was made irrelevant because last night when I was asleep my phone updated itself without my permission. Now I have seen ways to Odin down to AMDL, but I think I'm gonna hold off just a wee bit longer. Lemme tell you though.. I'm pretty upset about the fact I didn't get the chance to approve or deny.
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drkPu1se said:
So it turns out this post was made irrelevant because last night when I was asleep my phone updated itself without my permission. Now I have seen ways to Odin down to AMDL, but I think I'm gonna hold off just a wee bit longer. Lemme tell you though.. I'm pretty upset about the fact I didn't get the chance to approve or deny.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so you know, you can not Odin back to mdl. If you try you'll at best soft brick your phone. Worst case, damage it so it won't be functional.
jd1639 said:
Just so you know, you can not Odin back to mdl. If you try you'll at best soft brick your phone. Worst case, damage it so it won't be functional.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you are telling me I'm screwed at this point...
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drkPu1se said:
So you are telling me I'm screwed at this point...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much, yes.
You can root your phone, but you cannot change the ROM or the recovery anymore.
drkPu1se said:
So you are telling me I'm screwed at this point...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People should be forced to read the "Beginner's Info Thread", which is stickied in the General forums, at least once before they're allowed to read anything else, IMO.
Right at the top is the method to block OTA updates from happening:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301762
Once it's done, it's done. MF3 is a mofo. No possible way to downgrade, no way to install custom recovery or custom ROM. You can root...but no way to unroot...so not worth it for most people.
jeffreii said:
People should be forced to read the "Beginner's Info Thread", which is stickied in the General forums, at least once before they're allowed to read anything else, IMO.
Right at the top is the method to block OTA updates from happening:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301762
Once it's done, it's done. MF3 is a mofo. No possible way to downgrade, no way to install custom recovery or custom ROM. You can root...but no way to unroot...so not worth it for most people.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fuuuuuu..... Whelp maybe I should send in my phone and ask for a replacement ha
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
drkPu1se said:
Fuuuuuu..... Whelp maybe I should send in my phone and ask for a replacement ha
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not likely to get a replacement, at this point, that isn't already on MF3. Since the update has been out for over 6 weeks...chances have grown slim.
Personally, I'm planning on switching to the Note 3 in about a month...and this is actually a good situation for me as my non-MF3 S4 should fetch a bit of a premium on Ebay! You could go that route to get what you want I guess (sell yours on ebay and buy an MDL one).
jeffreii said:
You're not likely to get a replacement, at this point, that isn't already on MF3. Since the update has been out for over 6 weeks...chances have grown slim.
Personally, I'm planning on switching to the Note 3 in about a month...and this is actually a good situation for me as my non-MF3 S4 should fetch a bit of a premium on Ebay! You could go that route to get what you want I guess (sell yours on ebay and buy an MDL one).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And if the note 3 comes even worse in state of firmware than the s4?
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk 2
Febby said:
And if the note 3 comes even worse in state of firmware than the s4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha yeah that is definitely my big worry. Doubt I'll pull the trigger on that until I see an exploit published.
So it turns out that there is a method to root, but not safely from what it sounds like. Now I'm determined to dig into exploiting Android. This will be a new thing for me. So any tips on how one does this will be very helpful and I will be very grateful.
Thank you everyone who has replied to my thread.
drkPu1se said:
So it turns out that there is a method to root, but not safely from what it sounds like. Now I'm determined to dig into exploiting Android. This will be a new thing for me. So any tips on how one does this will be very helpful and I will be very grateful.
Thank you everyone who has replied to my thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can root it safely and there is a safe way to unroot it too. What you need to be careful with is what you do to it when it is rooted. Because there is no way to odin a stock firmware if you mess something up your stuck with it. (It appears that best buy now has the ability to flash the stock mf3 firmware so you have a little more room for error).
With root, most people want to remove bloatware. If you do, use titanium backup and freeze the apps, don't delete them. That way if you get over zealous you can just unfreeze them.
Good luck.
jd1639 said:
You can root it safely and there is a safe way to unroot it too. What you need to be careful with is what you do to it when it is rooted. Because there is no way to odin a stock firmware if you mess something up your stuck with it. (It appears that best buy now has the ability to flash the stock mf3 firmware so you have a little more room for error).
With root, most people want to remove bloatware. If you do, use titanium backup and freeze the apps, don't delete them. That way if you get over zealous you can just unfreeze them.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is I want to have a custom recovery and go to town with ROMs and mods. As for the Best Buy thing, I am gonna have to check that out.
drkPu1se said:
The thing is I want to have a custom recovery and go to town with ROMs and mods. As for the Best Buy thing, I am gonna have to check that out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You never took the mf3 upgrade?
Edit, start here. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42320391
Dnt update ull b bored
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
deron37129 said:
Dnt update ull b bored
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you drunk?
Lmao no I tried to avoid the update and I woke up one morning with the update done all on its own. Kinda pissed me off really. But that aside again because I do have the update I can't have a custom recovery. That's what's bugging me.
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Root question

I want to root my phone, the s4 as listed below. I am new to android but I think I understand how to root it. My concern is that there is no recovery. I am not sure what that means. Does that mean that one cannot unroot or does that mean that if you install a Custom rom that there is no going back? Or, does it mean something else? Thank you.
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thehoz said:
I want to root my phone, the s4 as listed below. I am new to android but I think I understand how to root it. My concern is that there is no recovery. I am not sure what that means. Does that mean that one cannot unroot or does that mean that if you install a Custom rom that there is no going back? Or, does it mean something else? Thank you.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you do not understand how to root if there is no recovery. keep researching. you're a long way from safely rooting your phone.
OP, if your S4 is on the MF3 firmware then look around in the general and q&a sections. there's some material there that will point you in the right direction.
in short, if you are on MF3, you can root only (which i advise against for beginners as there currently is no recovery option). cheers
thehoz said:
I want to root my phone, the s4 as listed below. I am new to android but I think I understand how to root it. My concern is that there is no recovery. I am not sure what that means. Does that mean that one cannot unroot or does that mean that if you install a Custom rom that there is no going back? Or, does it mean something else? Thank you.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you want to root your phone when you don't even understand what it is you want to do?
scott14719 said:
Why do you want to root your phone when you don't even understand what it is you want to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My question wasn't "what can I do with root?" I wanted to know if it was possible to "unroot" which apparently it is not yet. I would want to root to be able to get more out of titanium backup and Tasker as well as block ads. But thanks for the help.
And yes, I am on MF3. I had root on the prior os and I had to unroot to get the MF3 update which had features I wanted. I just don't know the proper terms I guess. I don't know what a recovery is. To unroot before, I had the two files I needed to delete. I foget what they are. I am sure you guys know. I used to always have my iOS jailbroken. I didn't need to understand too much about it. I could just follow instructions and jailbreak. It was too easy to unjailbreak.
Last time I rooted, it was easy. The unrooting was nerve-wracking because I couldn't get the update I wanted without it. I've read how to root now... Again I can follow directions. It just wasn't clear that you can't unroot until a recovery is is out there. I thought maybe a recovery was needed if you used a custom rom. I just wanted to use the stock rom and unroot if I wanted to.
Again, I'm not a hacker, just a user that wants more and not a whole lot of time to learn all the in and outs.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
thehoz said:
My question wasn't "what can I do with root?" I wanted to know if it was possible to "unroot" which apparently it is not yet. I would want to root to be able to get more out of titanium backup and Tasker as well as block ads. But thanks for the help.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suggest you do a little more research. There is a thread with a method to unroot that multiple people have claimed works with MF3. Of course, you never said what firmware you have...and it does make a difference. But honestly, don't take the advice if you think you don't need it and do what you want Good luck.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2432876
Try it at your own risk.
scott14719 said:
I suggest you do a little more research. There is a thread with a method to unroot that multiple people have claimed works with MF3. Of course, you never said what firmware you have...and it does make a difference. But honestly, don't take the advice if you think you don't need it and do what you want Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate the advice to keep looking. I'll try to find the thread you mention.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
thehoz said:
I appreciate the advice to keep looking. I'll try to find the thread you mention.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I edited my post above to include it.
scott14719 said:
I edited my post above to include it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
thehoz said:
My question wasn't "what can I do with root?" I wanted to know if it was possible to "unroot" which apparently it is not yet. I would want to root to be able to get more out of titanium backup and Tasker as well as block ads. But thanks for the help.
And yes, I am on MF3. I had root on the prior os and I had to unroot to get the MF3 update which had features I wanted. I just don't know the proper terms I guess. I don't know what a recovery is. To unroot before, I had the two files I needed to delete. I foget what they are. I am sure you guys know. I used to always have my iOS jailbroken. I didn't need to understand too much about it. I could just follow instructions and jailbreak. It was too easy to unjailbreak.
Last time I rooted, it was easy. The unrooting was nerve-wracking because I couldn't get the update I wanted without it. I've read how to root now... Again I can follow directions. It just wasn't clear that you can't unroot until a recovery is is out there. I thought maybe a recovery was needed if you used a custom rom. I just wanted to use the stock rom and unroot if I wanted to.
Again, I'm not a hacker, just a user that wants more and not a whole lot of time to learn all the in and outs.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You were right, recovery is used to flash custom ROM, back up and restore ROM; but there is no recovery for MF3.
If you just want to use Titanium Backup, adblock then root is enough. And you can unroot.
Please read forum rules before posting
Questions and Help issues go in Q&A and Help section
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