[Q] To Root or not to Root - Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I just got a Samsung S5 through Verizon. I am wondering how useful/risky it is to root the phone. I do not have an unlimited data plan. I am looking for ways to make my phone last longer and speed it up. That's why the question of rooting came up.

keldosnick said:
I just got a Samsung S5 through Verizon. I am wondering how useful/risky it is to root the phone. I do not have an unlimited data plan. I am looking for ways to make my phone last longer and speed it up. That's why the question of rooting came up.
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There are a ton of existing threads on this subject, full of useful information.
One thing that you can readily do if rooted is debloat your phone, that is remove all of the superfluous Verizon apps. And possibly install a streamlined custom ROM. Both of which would make for a substantially faster phone.
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And adblock!
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app

And Adblock. iptables.. LogCat.. Terminal.. Xposed.. custom kernels and removing carrier bloat to name a few things that root makes easier.
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Related

So I just rooted my phone, what now?

Ive been reading about the possibilities of rooting and why its a good thing.
Well I finally rooted, but what should I do now?
I've already removed the bloatware and im not interested in themes.
As for ROMS/CustomOS, there hasnt been any ROM that sets it that much more better then the stock 2.2firmware that came with the phone. Aside from the possible swipe texting, is there any significant benefit from using a custom ROM as oppose to the standard OS?
Also what are some must have apps for rooted phone?
Feels like the only real benefit from rooting (if one is not interested in themes/looks) is just removing bloatware
Same boat
So I just rooted my phone too, I was hoping to gain the ability to remove the bloat ware and maybe free mobile hot spot, but im such a noon im too worried about bricking my phone so really all I've done is the initial root, I did download the liberty 1.5 and saved it to my memory card but I don't really know if I did a full backup or not. I downloaded the titanium backup app that specifically says root on it and did what I thought was a backup in preparation for putting the liberty rom on my phone. Do I automatically gwet free mobile hotspot or is that a separate app all together?
Rhill051 said:
So I just rooted my phone too, I was hoping to gain the ability to remove the bloat ware and maybe free mobile hot spot, but im such a noon im too worried about bricking my phone so really all I've done is the initial root, I did download the liberty 1.5 and saved it to my memory card but I don't really know if I did a full backup or not. I downloaded the titanium backup app that specifically says root on it and did what I thought was a backup in preparation for putting the liberty rom on my phone. Do I automatically gwet free mobile hotspot or is that a separate app all together?
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Im not sure about titaninum backup or the liberty 1.5 youre trying to install.
However, I can hopefully share with you what I know about the free mobile hotspot. If by that you mean tether, than yes, you do need a seperate app. In fact the app is the only thing you need, no need for roms and what not. Some of the tethe rapps are PDAnet, easytether, and wireless tehter
theres probably more but those 3 are the ones I see most mentioned and hear success stories with most of them
alot of the Roms out there include a wireless 3g hotspot app in them, for example the rom im rocking is Darkslide 4.2 and it includes the app, and always remember to give credit where credit is due ^_^ and always thank the devs for doing this for free
Oh for sure, I appreciate the help info ethus site is the bomb and the dev's here kick butt. So I was using pda net before I rooted but I was told by someone that you can get the wireless hot spot by rooting. I might check out that dark sliders rom too. Is it a lot of work tojump between roms?
Just remember than Verizon is now monitoring rooted phones and they can send you a bill for data. I would suggest against it but it depends on where you live as to if they are monitoring.
droid_freak said:
Just remember than Verizon is now monitoring rooted phones and they can send you a bill for data. I would suggest against it but it depends on where you live as to if they are monitoring.
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How do they even know that a phone is rooted? Im guess I don't know what to think of that.. I know its a service you are supposed to pay for but isn't that kinda along the same lines as apple or google monitoring you? Do we know what markets Verizon is monitoring? Is it something where they pick the people who are using gig's of data, I've only used maybe a couple hundred megabytes
Rhill051 said:
How do they even know that a phone is rooted? Im guess I don't know what to think of that.. I know its a service you are supposed to pay for but isn't that kinda along the same lines as apple or google monitoring you? Do we know what markets Verizon is monitoring? Is it something where they pick the people who are using gig's of data, I've only used maybe a couple hundred megabytes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's confusing Verizon with AT&T:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/18/...-using-unauthorized-tethering-methods-to-pay/

Root or not to root

I'm no computer whiz so what are the advantages of rooting this phone as it seems plenty fast as is.
Well, with rooting, it's pretty much like being the Admin of your computer. So for starters, you have control over many more phone functions, especially when it comes to something like tethering. There are more apps and themes and ROMs available for you to use, which will cut down on battery usage, give you a better looking set of themes, and allow you to overclock not only your processor but also your GPU.
It's definitely something that isn't terribly essential, but it does make the phone more.....yours, so to speak.
Looks like I'm rooting and is there a way to unroot in case you need to send it back to Sprint so restoring to factory settings.
Yea you can flash back to stock and they'll never even know you had it rooted or had a custom rom
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
Yup, unrooting is easy. Here's one such app that allows you to temporarily unroot or unroot completely: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.projectvoodoo.otarootkeeper&hl=en
There's several other apps like this and a lot of guides on how to do it.
3 main reasons why I root all my devices:
1. Add app data backup (mainly games) to my new device
2. Tether
3. Flash custom roms
Root.
As previously stated, more performance, battery gains, and free tethering are only a few of the advantages....
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2
Curious about the bootloader and S-OFF unlocking possibilities on each carrier... Anyone know any info?
it is necessary
you can be the admin of your phone. you control it , not the phone control you.
Besides all the reasons some folks have mentioned, I also root to use ad-blockers..
So I do not have to put up with ads is some apps.
Hoggles said:
Curious about the bootloader and S-OFF unlocking possibilities on each carrier... Anyone know any info?
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Click to collapse
Samsung devices doesn't have "S OFF". It's only htc devices. Bootloader maybe locked, depending on your carrier
Sent from my supercharged :tank:
Well I want root asap on mine, going to have to uninstall all those S-lag apps Samsung added. Ones no one really needs and jsut slow the phone down. S heath and S Apps etc
The main reasons I'm going to root ASAP are because I want to enable an ad-blocker, wifi tether, restore some apps and disable some of the bloatware on the AT&T model. I'm going to try and stick with the stock ROM at least for a couple months. I've been using AOKP for a good 6 months on the GS3, it will be a nice change to go back to Touchwiz for a bit. (hopefully)
I will also be rooting mine as soon as I get it, so that I can restore everything from my s3 to it. I won't worry about custom roms for this phone for a while, although I'm sure that thread will explode in a few weeks.
I think I am leaving this one stocks for once. At least for a little while
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
root because there will be massive amounts of mods available. i know because i'll be working on quite a few
cheers!
I'm starting to think I'll get my 9500 this week and there won't be root for it. If I can't restore with Ti then it will sit in the box for a bit.
Sarcron said:
Yup, unrooting is easy. Here's one such app that allows you to temporarily unroot or unroot completely: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.projectvoodoo.otarootkeeper&hl=en
There's several other apps like this and a lot of guides on how to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Must be rooted in order to use OTA RootKeeper from Play!
This application makes a backup or a protected backup of your device's root.
This device must already be rooted: OTA RootKeeper doesn't have the ability to root devices.
Link to thread from Chainfire about getting i9505 root
---------- Post added at 07:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:06 PM ----------
AmesCell said:
I'm starting to think I'll get my 9500 this week and there won't be root for it. If I can't restore with Ti then it will sit in the box for a bit.
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Click to collapse
"sit in the box for a bit" ... like 2-3 minutes :laugh:
Mine may as well be shipped prerooted. I'm going to make sure my 'life companion' will really be my life companion lol.
I have decided to root if nothing else so I can tether. I also like to change the boot animation and shutdown animation. Looks like I'll be doing a lot of learning from you XDA guys.

Considering stock roms are getting better, does anyone see rooting a phone an option

What I mean is that, at least with myself, and a few other users, that stock is good enough to not warrant a custom ROM. Many just want root to customize their experience a little farther than stock. For myself, it's just enabling unlocked wireless tether, adblocking and getting rid of bloatware. I seriously don't think companies would make the process easier. But I thought I'd throw the question out there. I know that the completely stock experience is made to best protect the average consumer from malware and mucking up their phone. I realize that locking down a lot of things keeps the average technically uninformed user from breaking their phone. What are your thoughts on this subject?
I agree with your observation that stock ROMs are getting better and better and it'll most likely be more than good enough or perfectly adequate for the non-techy average user.
However, based on the industry practice of carriers still loading up phones with their own apps, customizations, and other bloatware, I think root will be desirable and necessary still for a long time to come.
After getting my S4, I immediately rooted it to uninstall many Sprint and Samsung apps that I couldn't otherwise. Root was also necessary to add adblocking software, a firewall, and to customize what I didn't like about TW through the Xposed framework.
I agree that custom ROMs may not be as necessary as they used to be but they are still a relatively easy way for people to get a different look with little effort.
I had mine rooted within 30 minutes of getting home with it. Still need root for Titanium Backup. Custom Recovery for Nandroids and flashing Mods and a Custom kernel just because. Using Xposed and Notach and Viper4Android and of course the Tether unlock.
Hey total noob question. If I root my S4 and leave the stock rom on the phone, will I still get all the firmware updates?
mr_mojorisen said:
Hey total noob question. If I root my S4 and leave the stock rom on the phone, will I still get all the firmware updates?
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Yes.
mr_mojorisen said:
Hey total noob question. If I root my S4 and leave the stock rom on the phone, will I still get all the firmware updates?
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I believe so as long as you have the stock recovery.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
optimummind said:
I agree with your observation that stock ROMs are getting better and better and it'll most likely be more than good enough or perfectly adequate for the non-techy average user.
However, based on the industry practice of carriers still loading up phones with their own apps, customizations, and other bloatware, I think root will be desirable and necessary still for a long time to come.
After getting my S4, I immediately rooted it to uninstall many Sprint and Samsung apps that I couldn't otherwise. Root was also necessary to add adblocking software, a firewall, and to customize what I didn't like about TW through the Xposed framework.
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Whats the best way to remove the bloatware? I'm rooted already.
A way that would would still get updates, disable programs in the application manager. You will still lose root though.
ashton4life said:
Whats the best way to remove the bloatware? I'm rooted already.
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I like Root App Delete, which is here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=zsj.android.uninstall
and also Titanium Backup.

What to do after rooting note 4

Hello, im planning to root my phone as i saw a few messages that this phone is way better when its rooted.
but what should i do after i root it to make it better ?
wich apps can i remove, im planning to stay with stock sammy rom.
Racinghart91 said:
Hello, im planning to root my phone as i saw a few messages that this phone is way better when its rooted.
but what should i do after i root it to make it better ?
wich apps can i remove, im planning to stay with stock sammy rom.
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Click to collapse
If you don't know what you need root for, you should wait. I rooted because I wanted a couple of apps which require root access. If you don't know what you need it for, there's not much point, really
If you still want to root, you can download e.g. xposed, root uninstaller and titanium backup.
Racinghart91 said:
but what should i do after i root it to make it better ?
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Click to collapse
You are a man. So it's NO question what you'll do first: Eliminate the camera shutter sound.
And after that, you'll install "AdAway" right away.
And then, you'll fix that sick SD card write protection Google enforced for NO reason (except forcing users to utilize their cloud services).
And then you'll get rid of all that ugly bloatware on your Note Samsung is wasting your mobile data and battery with.
And then you'll get rid of "Region Lock", forcing you to pay BIG bucks if daring to use your Note abroad under deadly roaming conditions instead of simply inserting a cheap, local SIM card.

Verizon s7 root looking possible ?

I am wondering if root for Verizon s7 looks like it'll be possible or looks like we are stuck on stock ? I saw some twrp drivers or stuff over in samsung s7 section so figured I'd ask.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
This article posted today doesn't leave much hope.
http://www.xda-developers.com/galax...gn=Feed:+xda-developers/ShsH+(xda-developers)
Samsung has been one disappointment after another in the past few years. Might as well replace Touchwiz with IOS since they've paid so much to Apple to be like Apple.
joshw0000 said:
Samsung has been one disappointment after another in the past few years. Might as well replace Touchwiz with IOS since they've paid so much to Apple to be like Apple.
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Click to collapse
Yep the iPhone 6s and S7 are exact the same :rolls eyes:
Samsung copied some apple stuff in the beginning, Google copied some Samsung stuff, apple copied sim Google stuff, LG copied dome Samsung stuff, Samsung copied LG stuff? everyone copied everyone. It happens when industries are new.
Sent from my E6683 using Tapatalk
Im actually not missing root as much as I thought I would. Admittedly, I like touchwiz, just need less bloat. And the debloater works pretty good so far with my S7. Need to trim a few more, if I can figure them all out. But other than that im not missing much, IMO.
pahick said:
Im actually not missing root as much as I thought I would. Admittedly, I like touchwiz, just need less bloat. And the debloater works pretty good so far with my S7. Need to trim a few more, if I can figure them all out. But other than that im not missing much, IMO.
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Click to collapse
Is there a way to do nandroid backups? That's one of the primary reasons I use root on my S5. Also, I have so many Tasker profiles that use root and Secure Settings. Not interested in abandoning all of these.
pahick said:
Im actually not missing root as much as I thought I would. Admittedly, I like touchwiz, just need less bloat. And the debloater works pretty good so far with my S7. Need to trim a few more, if I can figure them all out. But other than that im not missing much, IMO.
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Click to collapse
What debloater are are you referring to? I'd like to slim things down but have only "disabled " the bloat so far.
Working root!?
thrgk said:
I am wondering if root for Verizon s7 looks like it'll be possible or looks like we are stuck on stock ? I saw some twrp drivers or stuff over in samsung s7 section so figured I'd ask.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
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Is that true? Has anybody tried that?
http://wccftech.com/how-to-root-galaxy-s7-on-android-6-0-1-marshmallow/
mefistofel666 said:
Is that true? Has anybody tried that?
http://wccftech.com/how-to-root-galaxy-s7-on-android-6-0-1-marshmallow/
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Click to collapse
I don't believe that is something we can do with our Verizon version. I thought we had a different processor.
This is a huge disappointment for me. Can't really live without root and Xposed, but the GS7 was looking like my next phone. Hopefully something is figured out but im not too optimistic.
mefistofel666 said:
Is that true? Has anybody tried that?
http://wccftech.com/how-to-root-galaxy-s7-on-android-6-0-1-marshmallow/
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Click to collapse
Not recommended for locked bootloaders, of which all US carrier versions are
The root situation right now is pretty much in Samsung/Verizon's hands. Our Verizon variants have the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, the only root or twrp solutions right now are for exynos. Not only that but our bootloader is locked (currently no official way to unlock like HTC dev equivalent or something) and even worse (for prospects of rooting that is), Samsung utilizes Qualcomms secure boot and dm-verity. So any unsigned images won't be accepted and even if they are, dm-verity would make it so that any changes on the /system partition would boot loop your device. Seems like the only way we'll get root is if Verizon presses on Samsung (like T-Mobile is rumored to be doing) to get some sort of HTC dev type unlock program going.
I had Note 4 on Verizon for a year since release and it never got root. Im pretty sure it's still unrootable device.
I'm guessing this will be the case here.
Maybe there are devs working on this to exploit our phone: http://www.engadget.com/2016/03/22/google-warns-of-android-root-exploit/
Unless this is what we just got the security patch for.
yonith2 said:
Maybe there are devs working on this to exploit our phone: http://www.engadget.com/2016/03/22/google-warns-of-android-root-exploit/
Unless this is what we just got the security patch for.
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As I'm aware that doesn't apply to marshmallow
darker_slayer said:
As I'm aware that doesn't apply to marshmallow
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Click to collapse
Correct, we have kernel 3.18.x so it's already patched for us.
tolymatev said:
I had Note 4 on Verizon for a year since release and it never got root. Im pretty sure it's still unrootable device.
I'm guessing this will be the case here.
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Click to collapse
I still have my note 4 to this day and there's still no perm root lol. the s7 isn't getting it. don't get your hopes up. plus if you wanna keep using samsung pay, you'll never be able to root. I've stopped caring honestly. no ads with samsung browser and an ad blocker is sweet. if i need mobile Hotspot on my unlimited plan, I'll pop my sim into my old LG g2.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7 using Tapatalk
jayochs said:
I still have my note 4 to this day and there's still no perm root lol. the s7 isn't getting it. don't get your hopes up. plus if you wanna keep using samsung pay, you'll never be able to root. I've stopped caring honestly. no ads with samsung browser and an ad blocker is sweet. if i need mobile Hotspot on my unlimited plan, I'll pop my sim into my old LG g2.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Foxfi works great with unlimited on S7E.
I'm sure you can always root Verizon version of the GS7 but no doubt you won't be able to flash any rooms on the device (just like in the past). But touchwiz has been slimmed down and a hell of alot less bloatware. Even with my past Verizon phonestore I never really found the need for a new ROM (although it would have sped up the phones quite a bit) but I found that just having root access is perfect, especially now a day's with the higher specs and reliability of Samsung devices. I wonder if SuperSU or KingRoot will work, they are the best one step rooting process without a pc.
crackbaby0219 said:
I'm sure you can always root Verizon version of the GS7 but no doubt you won't be able to flash any rooms on the device (just like in the past).......<snip>....... I wonder if SuperSU or KingRoot will work, they are the best one step rooting process without a pc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SuperSU isn't a rooting meathod that works without a custom recovery, so no it won't work.
KingRoot users specific vulnerabilities that have been patched, so no it won't work either.
Error will be impossible without finding a way to get rid of dm-verify, which the only way to do that right now is a repacked kernel, which is not flashable because secure boot prevents unsigned flashing.
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