I searched and did not really find an answer to this, so here it goes - why would someone root the Nexus 7 (I have a 2012 32 GB WiFi)? I figure it's already bone stock, why would you want to root it? Are there any perks to doing so? I just rooted my phone successfully so now I've kind of been bitten by the bug haha.
Thanks in advance!
As for me, I think what drives me to root my N7 is the ability to customize it.
If I have a rooted tablet or phone, then I am able to install Xposed Framework and tons of modules.
For instance, the battery bar on top of the screen, since I can't find the battery indicator inside the default settings.
And a lot more, the eyeful transition animations, the colorful status bars while different apps are running, and so on.
Aside from customizing my N7, I also want it to perform well without being occupied by some active apps.
Hence I install Greenify, which helps me manage my apps and improve(?) my battery life though it already has a quite decent battery drain.:laugh:
And of course, it is required to have root access, too.
Just share my some thoughts with you.
Related
OK, so I had a Vibrant and spend some time trying to tweak it to resolve the short battery life and GPS problems, however, at the end of my two-week "buyers remorse" period it still wasn't working very well (in fact, the last day it was working significantly worse - using Google Nav crashed the thing 4 times in a row!), so I took it back rather than get stuck w/it for a two-year contract.
However, looking at the alternatives, I'm not convinced there is anything better than a WORKING Vibrant, and reading more on various forums it sounds like I may have just had a bad unit ... or not applied the right tweaks to it. So I'm thinking I may get another unit and give it another try. But before I do I'd like to know the best way to prep/tweak the thing straight out of the box so I can start from the best possible baseline. I'm pretty tech savy so I'm not afraid of rooting or removing bloatware but I also don't want to spend the whole time trying to install some esoteric custom Android build. Can anybody provide a short list of the best things to do to improve the over all phone performance and reliability?
Thanks in advance,
Joe
Root
Remove bloat
Install autostarts
Install LauncherPro (runs better than adw imo)
Follow the sticky for other random tips
Don't screw around with face book sync
Install a custom rom soon (i don't think it's prime time, yet)
which bloatware apps can i safely remove? i have read a lot of warnings about being careful what you remove. how do you do it - is it a simple matter of deleting a file, or is there more to it?
so can anybody recommmend which apps to remove, and how to do it w/out shooting myself in the foot?!
thanks!
joe
joecooler said:
so can anybody recommmend which apps to remove, and how to do it w/out shooting myself in the foot?!
thanks!
joe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=726637&highlight=Stock
Or just flash Eugene's Vibrant4 that comes with tweaks and removed bloatware (find it in dev forum)
A good way to start is to read the STICKIED post. it has a lot of the information that you're looking for there
I would just use Root Explorer to remove the apps, or Titanium Backup does this also I think. This is all in the sticky.
I am new to Android and have been learning the ropes and tweaking slowly. I followed the recommendation to try ADW or Launcherpro and am glad I did. I happened to give Launcherpro a try first and have found its ability to customize the dock great. I would recommend giving it a shot if you are trying to customize the phone to your liking.
Hi all,
I've been a long-time Cyanogenmod user, and been very happy overall. However, as they expand to so many devices, and time their final updates together, I no longer benefit from quick access to new versions of Android since I've only got Nexus devices (for example: https://plus.google.com/+CyanogenMod/posts/HpXkXU98R7q)
Realistically, I only use a few CyanogenMod features that go beyond a stock Nexus ROM:
Root
Numerical Battery
Clock Widget
Bluetooth Tethering
Expanded Desktop (Might not be required with KitKat)
Pie Controls (With Expanded Desktop, might not be required with KitKat, either)
Given that, and KitKat's full screen capabilities, it brings me down to Root, numerical battery and BT tethering, which are pretty easy to enable on a stock ROM. However, every time I OTA update, I loose it all. And to get root back, many times I have to re-unlock which causes a hard-reset, loosing all my data, too.
So, the question: Is there a ROM that's close to stock, with root, that either has or would be easy to add the above features? Or, is there an easy way to create my own. I'm also looking for something that could be repeated across multiple Nexus devices (4/5/7/10).
Thanks,
Ben
Although I don't use it, so I'm no expert, I think the Xposed Framework would do the things you want.
Sent from my Nexus 4
I followed all the instructions and installed CWM recovery, and then installed su and now I have root. It was pretty easy. There is some loss of quality of the camera but I can live with it for now.
What are the suggested modifications now? The main thing I would like to do is purge all the stupid spyware / adware apps on this. What is recommended?
I am hoping there will soon be a CM install for this so I can truly get rid of all the Sony junkware.
Not sure but can you keep us posted on your battery life after installing a custom rom, curious to know if the stock rom has some special battery efficiencies.
Sent from my D5803
Toughdroid said:
I followed all the instructions and installed CWM recovery, and then installed su and now I have root. It was pretty easy. There is some loss of quality of the camera but I can live with it for now.
What are the suggested modifications now? The main thing I would like to do is purge all the stupid spyware / adware apps on this. What is recommended?
I am hoping there will soon be a CM install for this so I can truly get rid of all the Sony junkware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll tell you what I did:
uninstall all sony bloatware, expecially that antivirus app...
install xposed framework
install titanium backup
Now I'm just waiting for CM or whatever rom
Do you have a list of package names I should nuke? I can't quite match up all the package names with the evilware.
I'm looking at the crazy permissions some of these apps have. Weather Widget can read my call log! wtf!
Thanks
Well, you sure don't want to take a bunch of low-light pictures....
Xposed Modules
There should be am exposed module who can do this for you, it should be called set permissions or something like that... I personally deleted everything from Sony, I use 3rd party apps for weather, calendar and so on... But this is personal taste I just prefer to use the phone for its hardware, not for the Sony brand
Install gesture control and permanently disable the nav bar. That's what I would do gestures are the best way to control a touch device IMHO.
Install Greenify to enhance your battery life. Install Adaway to get rid of ads system wide. Use Tasker to automatically enable/disable pattern unlock based on your location (ie home or not) and also automate the phone putting itself in flight mode when you charge at night.
?
Toughdroid said:
I followed all the instructions and installed CWM recovery, and then installed su and now I have root. It was pretty easy. There is some loss of quality of the camera but I can live with it for now.
What are the suggested modifications now? The main thing I would like to do is purge all the stupid spyware / adware apps on this. What is recommended?
I am hoping there will soon be a CM install for this so I can truly get rid of all the Sony junkware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't wait to install Xposed framework. I can't live without "vibrate on answer", long press tile to go to setting, camera shutter mute, Wanam's Youtube ad-remover, and most importantly GEM Xperia module to hide unwanted apps. Some root apps like Titanium backup, Samba droid, SSH droid, Greenify etc. Fingers crossed for a root exploit.
If you do not really know what to do with root, then I'd really question whether damaging your device is worth it.
This phone is super powerful and the "bloatware" doesn't affect performance - certainly from my user perspective. Just use apex or nova and hide the apps you don't want to see.
TBH, as much as I love tinkering around with my phones, the need for root (as opposed to it being nice to have it) is diminishing as android develops.
Will root for titanium but not much. sony has the battery management that can compare with greenify.
machatta said:
If you do not really know what to do with root, then I'd really question whether damaging your device is worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm hoping to use CM as soon as its available.
machatta said:
This phone is super powerful and the "bloatware" doesn't affect performance - certainly from my user perspective. Just use apex or nova and hide the apps you don't want to see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The bloatware is also spyware, and that I do not like.
machatta said:
TBH, as much as I love tinkering around with my phones, the need for root (as opposed to it being nice to have it) is diminishing as android develops.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My big thing is I want all the spyware to be gone, and I basically do not trust any carrier / manufacturer builds.
Btw the camera is very good, even post-rooting. And battery life is really amazing. I ordered the magnetic charger, and I can probably wait to charge my phone until the new charger arrives. It seems like this phone could go for several days pretty easily. I'm impressed.
It's already stock.
Awesome Root only apps, Ad blocking, Being able to tweak your device for countless reasons including performance improvements, battery improvements and many others, Can flash sick custom ROMs with features that stock does not offer, Volte, Band 12( T-Mobile), Cyanogen Mod, Layers Manager( Sick theming app that's ROOT only)
Prob forgetting some things...
You could have just googled this and saved yourself some time but I was happy to help.
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
The benefits of rooting is universal with practically every phone. You get much deeper control of your device. You can install a custom rom to get extra features and potential performance increases. You can tweak the kernel to underclock (to save battery life) or overclock (to get more performance). Xposed modules, such as Gravitybox, can get you custom rom features on a stock based rom (such as TruPureX). You can block ads. Titanium Backup is a legendary root app for backups. There are plenty of other root apps to get the most out of the power of root. You can maximize the phone's potential by rooting, however, if you don't find these things particularly compelling for you to go through the whole process of rooting and flashing roms (which isn't too complicated), the stock rom will do you just fine.
The reasons to root all depend on you. If you just want a phone without carrier bloat, then rooting your phone is not necessary since this phone is already there. Otherwise, rooting gives you the ability to do many tweaks and customizations to your phone that is not otherwise possible. Read up on it and decide if it something worth your while
Sent from my awesome phone!
Xposed!
Bobaroo said:
Xposed!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My main reasons are for Titanium Backup, Emoji Switcher, Better Battery Stats, & Sixaxis Pair Tool.
AdAway!
When you look at the pros (other replies above) and cons (have to unlock bootloader, so you void your warranty), I'm no longer convinced there is a great deal of benefit in rooting the phone.
In the last 5 years this is my 4th android phone and it's the 1st one I haven't bothered to root.
I look at the custom ROM threads and they're full of "this or that doesn't work"
I've used Apex to customise the UI (no root required for most things). The only thing I'd like is to have time/date shown in the middle of the status bar - but I'm not loosing my warranty just to get it!
I should say I'm a very "light" user of the phone - so stock Android gives me everything I need, and I'm not finding battery life an issue.
^^ This. Apex launcher, custom kernel for color and slight performance tweaks, center clock, and skipping tracks with the volume rocker all on stock rom. Thats all I really root for.
Sent from my iPhone 6s Plus
I'm sure this analogy has been used somewhere before.
If you're the type that likes to tinker, unlocked bootloader gives you [mostly] full access.
It's like going target practice and shooting with blanks or real bullets
I have decided not to root for now. With previous Android phones, my primary reasons to root was to remove and/or disable carrier bloat and freeze some manufacturer baked in functions I never used. In addition I could get a way to turn off LTE which AT&T is notorious for removing the capability. With this phone it is not an issue and the few things moto has baked in I actually find useful. I was able to block ads in the browser through ad blocker plus. Other than a few minor things that I miss I'm largely enjoying this phone. I don't find rooting necessary for me at this point. After my warranty I will probably give it a go.
One reason for me and its to turn off ascending ring tone as its affecting my notifications.
Hi,
My warranty is running out so I'm on the fence: look for a new phone or go the rooting and custom ROM path and continue using Note 4.
So as we have now MM and some updated apps, air command and other stuff is updated.. so what additional benefits custom ROM could give?
Speed? I do some gaming and can't complain that Note 4 is slow. It's really fast.
Disable more apps? That would be a benefit coz now not all apps can be disabled.
Remove quick connect buttons?
What else am I missing?
Launcher tweaks? But we use Nova. You don't need root for Nova
What else?
Thanks!!!
I'm using stock MM 6.0.1 (DPB1) and it's great. Still a fantastic phone for 2016 and really fast. I only root for Titanium Backup to freeze all the crap and to boost the headphone output level.
Only wish is for universal DPI adjustment as I can't be arsed messing about with xposed framework and the like but it's not a biggie.
You can root without installing a custom ROM and it takes literally 2 minutes.
What exactly do you freeze which cannot be disabled in Application Manager? And what benefits those freezed app give?
Will Greenify give any noticable battery life? As I understood Greenify needs root as well.
Here's a list of my disabled apps.
https://imgur.com/a/X0Zjv
What you freezed with tibackup?
For me the main reason for rooting is to be able to get the huge games I have downloaded over the years to all fit onto my ext SD card. I also enjoy the ability to use apps like Cerberus,, Greenify and SD Maid.... etc. to their absolute full potential.
I root phones because I want things the way I want them. For example I don't like the quick connect logos when I lower the screen to see any alerts. I also don't like how the phone warns me that the volume is getting loud. As if I don't know how.loud the phone is. Little thing like that drive me crazy. I root the phone so I can deal with those little announces like that.
If you have to ask whether its worth rooting or not, then I am not sure you are in the right place man. Said it plenty times before, saying it again, I don't really see the point of using Android without rooting, unless you need that KNOX thingy. Why? I can't even start to mention. Take AdAway for example, and that's the first step only of a journey of countless steps.
Custom ROMs on the other hand? If you see a really good dev, then yes, like Arya, or Omega etc., otherwise no comments.
ithehappy said:
If you have to ask whether its worth rooting or not, then I am not sure you are in the right place man. Said it plenty times before, saying it again, I don't really see the point of using Android without rooting, unless you need that KNOX thingy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if one isn't rooting, then one might as well use...what, an iOS device? That doesn't make sense to me. There are plenty of compelling reasons to use Android over alternate mobile OS'es, even if one is using unrooted Android. Even if one is using unrooted, unmodified, BAD skinned Android.
What exactly do you freeze which cannot be disabled in Application Manager? And what benefits those freezed app give?
I have 96 apps frozen. Mostly pre-installed crap and many system apps including all the wireless/remote/sharing stuff I don't need. You need to choose what's important to you but it makes a massive difference to battery life.
If you don't know what is rooting for, you should forget about it.
Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk
I know what rooting is and I've used it in my previous phones (Nexus mainly) for many many things.
Why? Because Nexus didn't have all the features I needed.
And now Note 4 has battery optimization feature (so no need for Greenify), all those notification buttons, quick buttons, side buttons you name it (no custom rom is needed), basic backup function works to Samsung cloud (it partially covers tibackup) etc etc.
Well.. AdAway is a different thing.