Database Users

[Q] What is your benefit of a rooted device?

Hi all
Everyone wants to root his device, but why exactly are YOU rooting it? What is your motivation, from which feature do you gain something?
Please answer with specific apps which you are using and which do need root.
Thanks
Dominik

I had a Toshiba Folio 100 before (it was my first android device)... but because of very bad toshiba software I had to put a custom (rooted) rom on it two hours after I got the device at home...
In this case I used the root to tweak everything to make it work better and better, but also for Titanium backup...
When I got my second android device (the galaxy apollo), I rooted it, only for titanium backup, just to port some appdata from my folio to my apollo... I don't really need to tweak this device...
Now I have my transformer, I don't feel like rooting it... I have setup everything properly... The only reason why I would root it now is to install (again) titanium backup, and restore my Angry Birds data (Does any-one know a non-root way to do this )... I'm not gonna root this great device for that...

I rooted mine because I can, no kidding. Then I was able to take control of my tf. I deleted stuff from my system/data that was bloat using root explorer. Sometimes you need no reason to root but to be able to say...yea it's rooted..

Main reason I rooted my Android phone was to get rid of the stock HTC Sense, which IMO was quite bloated and slow. I put a custom ROM on and have a lot more free space, a HUGE improvement on battery life (I'm talking about a day extra) from the custom ROM and optimised kernel.
In the case of my Transformer, it is mainly rooted to take advantage of a custom kernel. With a custom, and appropriately optimised, kernel you can theoretically (and most importantly, in practice) improve the performance and/or battery life of your Android device through overclocking or underclocking respectively. I won't get into the nerdy details of the Linux kernel, but in a nutshell that's what is possible (among many other things) with an optimised kernel.
Apart from kernels I also rooted my device with the hope of Google eventually releasing the Honeycomb (Android 3.x) source code, so we can start to see some actual creativity from the more skilled members of the XDA community. I'm talking about custom ROMs that can totally change the way you experience your Android device. If you want an example, look up MIUI ROM and then compare it to stock Android ROM... of course this is with Android 2.x but this sort of variation and creativity is what we should look forward to (assuming Google eventually open up and stop being shy about their source).
Also not to mention the efforts of the people getting Ubuntu to work on the TF. This means you are able to run a full-blown desktop OS on your tablet alongside Android if you ever want to do more than what Android limits you to.
But really, you own the device so you choose what you want to do with it. If this type of stuff seems a bit over your head or you're pretty happy with a stock standard Honeycomb experience, then you never have to worry about rooting. But I say, get the most out of your device and root it
Any other questions, or if you don't understand some of the terms I used, ask me and I'll make sure to explain it better

The main reason for me is it lets you view and write to the /system and /data partitions. You can then install crap apps you don't like cluttering up your menus, and also transfer APKs you do like to other devices.
Also rooting and installing your own kernel is AFAIK the only way to allow ad-hoc wifi connections with your tablet. For some people with phones whose wifi tethering is based on ad-hoc, this is very important.

I just wanted to put patched host file to makse tf run faster
Its not bloated like sense

I had planned on rootin my TF first thing after taking it home.
It's almost a month now and haven't still rooted the thing. I have not needed doing it still... I tried and then unrooted and kept stock.
Regards.

life64x said:
I rooted mine because I can, no kidding. Then I was able to take control of my tf. I deleted stuff from my system/data that was bloat using root explorer. Sometimes you need no reason to root but to be able to say...yea it's rooted..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second this!!! Give me freedom on my computer!!! I buy android because I don't want somebody(steve jobs/bill gates) telling me what I can and can't do!!!

Titanium Backup for game saves.

The first thing I benefit of, and when it comes to rooting is adfree, and then of course titaniumbackup, rootexplorer.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

On phones, I root because I want to reove all the garbage that is installed there and to have Titanium backup and Cyanogen ROMS.
I have one TF that is rooted and running Prime and another that is stock and, so far, unrooted. For the TF, root is not as imperative as for the phones...

[Q] New to rooting..rooting pros and cons?

I am new to rooting and have a sprint samsung galaxy s 2 epic 4g touch. What are the pros to rooting these new and improved cell phones available now? Just curious as I have been reading about the hype of rooting and the headaches that can come along with rooting as well.
Thx in advance.

oi,you have just to decide if you prefer to deal with the headaches which you can get from an unrooted device or..the headaches you can get from a rooted one
i personally prefer to deal with a rooted device as the majority of people here at xda,the advatages from rooting are countless: you have full control of all the functionalities,theme your rom,install custom and better optimized roms,back up your system and restore it with a click using recovery,etc..
an easygoing explaination here and here

Well, personally I got one big reason to root my phone: to get ad-free apps ^^ Seriously, playing Angry Birds without ads feels so refreshing lol. Plus it's cool to have the ability to mess around with your phone as you wish, to get to browse all the system folders etc.
This message was sent from F*CK YOU. NOBODY GIVES A SH*T WHERE YOU SENT YOUR F*CKING MESSAGE FROM.

skeletonboy said:
oi,you have just to decide if you prefer to deal with the headaches which you can get from an unrooted device or..the headaches you can get from a rooted one
i personally prefer to deal with a rooted device as the majority of people here at xda,the advatages from rooting are countless: you have full control of all the functionalities,theme your rom,install custom and better optimized roms,back up your system and restore it with a click using recovery,etc..
an easygoing explaination here and here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hum, 95% of these advantages can be done without Rooting but with a Kernel that support CWM:
_ install zip from CWM to install ROM or Theme
_ Backup / Restore : can make a dump of 100% of the phone in Recovery
There's no reason to use CWM App to backup / restore / install a ROM. Only an Advanced kernel is needed, and must be installed the first time via Odin.
My only reason to have Root on my phone is Titanium Backup.. I don't use some "Ad-free" program or "Bypass the Market" tip, good apps must be paid as reward of the work.

Thanks to all for your posts. Slane, your post especially interests me. If I am reading your post correctly, you can install a kernel without rooting? From what I've read from other posts, once you root your phone you cannot get automatic updates?
Where can I find an advanced kernel? I think that my main concern with rooting is the potential that I will lose the wifi capabilities. I have read so many posts where an individual rooted their phone and lost wifi capabilities. Another concern of mine in the rooting process is with Kies. The only version that I could find uses wifi instead of USB connectivity.
Thx in advance for your feedback.

Someone hit me with a list of apps only available with root.

Considering if I want to root moto x pure or not.
With what is being called a "Pure android experience" meaning no bloatware, I am not sure why I should root.

Gravitybox
Greenify
Boot manager
Adaway
Xstana
Titanium backup
Those are the apps I use atm

papamalo said:
I am not sure why I should root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One word, ads! If you're used to being rooted and blocking them, they'll drive you nuts! They're everywhere ... obnoxious, obtrusive and just plain annoying!! So AdAway is a must IMO!(I understand folks gotta make a living, but man do I wish there was another way! LOL)
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Adfree (my choice over adaway), titanium backup, better battery stats, HiFont (change your system font), hosts editor (easily add and delete entries9 in your hosts file, that adaway creates ), Tasker, Xposed framework and all the great modules it offers for customizing your device to your own preference, and root Explorer are some of my favorites.
Bangin' on my unlocked/rooted
Moto X Pure

papamalo said:
Considering if I want to root moto x pure or not.
With what is being called a "Pure android experience" meaning no bloatware, I am not sure why I should root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're just wanting things to be as near to a Nexus as possible and that's all. Then you have no need to root. The only thing I have found the MXPE missing that is on Nexus devices is the Google Dialer. And Truedialer does all that the Google Dialer does and more.
Apps like the Camera on Nexus devices, can be installed from the Play Store.
I used to root, primarily for additional features that don't come with any device. Such as Titanium Backup. But Android Marshmallow will have app data backup. So no need to Titanium Backup going forward. I also used to root for Advanced Power Menu features. To be able to Reboot in a single click, instead of having to power off and on manually.
So far, I have no need to root the MXPE. Google finally has the OS in Marshmallow, to a point I can enjoy without added features from rooting.
You may want to look around the MXPE Apps and Dev forums. See the various offerings available with unlocking and rooting. You may want to give it a go. Me, I did unlocking and rooting, since converting and HTC HD2, from Windows Mobile to Android and all devices afterwards. I had my full of it and no longer desire to spend time and effort keeping up with or doing unlock and root activities. So I enjoy stock and with more frequent OTA updates in these times, I will let the OEM handle sending fixes and updates.
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

I've never owned a nexus, but I did, (with a great deal of help from you guys here) gut and rip an LG esteem, and then a Samsung galaxy s3, using CWM and recovery, a kernel with some ungodly name like "Lucifer kernel" (sounds like hot sauce on popcorn)
The functions I am looking for are as follows
- No bloatware
- Classic text messaging and classic phone dialer themes
- Custom Boot Animation
- Ability to delete all apps I don't use, (on previous phones, some apps I blasted were google, and there were lists of what I could un-install with no problems for each device)
- KIES support
Basically faster, lighter, smarter, better, cooler, and makes the world bend to my will.
Looks like I might have to roll up my sleeves again and earn how to root yet another device!
That is unless someone comes up with another genius "one click root-kernel-rom" install, but at this point I am fairly comfortable with ODIN panels, and self installing .zip, or .rar files.
Question: Has there ever been an android phone, that ships already rooted?
thanks! once again I know I am in the right place.
:good:

The procedure is really very simple and you don't have to worry about if someone put anything dubious in said one click root app.
Bangin' on my unlocked/rooted
Moto X Pure

cool! You will see me back here asking some questions, when I unbox the little bugger.
Thanks again!
:good:

papamalo said:
...
- No bloatware
- Classic text messaging and classic phone dialer themes
- Custom Boot Animation
- Ability to delete all apps I don't use, (on previous phones, some apps I blasted were google, and there were lists of what I could un-install with no problems for each device)
- KIES support
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- No worries about bloatware. And if you feel anything is bloat, just disable the app. No root nessesary.
- Seems you would be able to find something in the Google Play Store, that does this for you. I think you'd be hard pressed, to find a Dev that will make something custom like that in a MXPE ROM. The Devs will probably be trying to use newer and better, rather than retro.
- You will need to unlock the bootloader, to apply a custom boot animation. That's not a "root" thing AFAIK, but you do need to unlock the bootloader. And then you will be able to apply a custom boot animation. I'm sure any maker of a boot animation will provide instructions.
- Just disable, no root needed. If you feel you absolutely must "uninstall", then you will need to get a custom ROM that has things you don't like already removed. But disable works very well.
- I don't know how you will find KIES Support. That's a Samsung thing. I dobut you'll find a way to get it working on the MXPE.

papamalo said:
- No bloatware
- Classic text messaging and classic phone dialer themes
- Custom Boot Animation
- Ability to delete all apps I don't use, (on previous phones, some apps I blasted were google, and there were lists of what I could un-install with no problems for each device)
- KIES support
Looks like I might have to roll up my sleeves again and earn how to root yet another device!
That is unless someone comes up with another genius "one click root-kernel-rom" install, but at this point I am fairly comfortable with ODIN panels, and self installing .zip, or .rar files.
Question: Has there ever been an android phone, that ships already rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of everything on your list, you could *potentially* find some workaround or alternative that doesn't require root (or an unlocked bootloader), with the exception of a Custom Boot Animation. If you want that, then you must have an unlocked bootloader to do it. And if you're going to unlock your bootloader, you might as well just take it one minor step further and root your phone as well.
As for HOW to unlock / root... there *IS* a tookit to do it. Just look in the Android Development section of this forum, and you'll find it. Couldn't be easier.
You won't need to deal with all of that garbage of ODIN panels, flashing upgrades / downgrades / radios and applying patches in a very specific order, etc. The reason all of those complex steps exist for other phones is because those phones have locked bootloaders; and clever XDA developers had to find some obscure security exploit in order to gain root access. The Moto X Pure ships with an easily unlocked bootloader, which eliminates all of those complex steps to gain root access. It's about as close to the Nexus experience as you can get on a non-Nexus device. You essentially flip a switch, and get an unlocked bootloader. And once you have an unlocked bootloader, you can pretty much do anything you want with your phone without having to jump through hoops to do it.

My list goes:
Xposed framework
Gravitybox
Flat colored bars
Adaway
Softkeyz
Custom boot animation manager
Obviously I root for enhanced customization and ad removal.

I might consider rooting again, if some genius in XDA, comes up with a, "One-click RootROMRecovery, DeathKernel3000© w/ a "Wayyy cooler than you" option. lol.
Thanks
PM

papamalo said:
I might consider rooting again, if some genius in XDA, comes up with a, "One-click RootROMRecovery, DeathKernel3000© w/ a "Wayyy cooler than you" option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kent1146 said:
As for HOW to unlock / root... there *IS* a tookit to do it. Just look in the Android Development section of this forum, and you'll find it. Couldn't be easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
....10char

kent1146 said:
....10char
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so I downloaded WinDroid Universal Android Toolkit v2.5.exe, and am now looking at TWRP, and considering which applications to install after routing. My phone is supposed to arrive tomorrow I want to get ready! Thanks for the help you guys

Abandon Root or Abandon Phone?

Hi all,
I'm on a Sprint S8 running PartCyborgRom. More and more apps that I use are no longer usable, and I'm guessing because my phone doesn't pass SafetyNet.
I use a lot of root apps and Xposed modules to customize the phone and disable bloat.
Have any of you just bit the bullet and upgraded to an Oreo ROM without Root? What are your workarounds for not having Root? I've used BK Disabler before. Are there other Knox apps to do other Root-like functions?
I'm definitely thinking about jumping to a different phone, but I think my only option for a fully rootable phone on Sprint is getting a Pixel 3 right from Google...
Without root and Titanium Backup, what are you using to backup and restore app data?
ANY thoughts on the dilemma would be great.

muzicman82 said:
Hi all,
I'm on a Sprint S8 running PartCyborgRom. More and more apps that I use are no longer usable, and I'm guessing because my phone doesn't pass SafetyNet.
I use a lot of root apps and Xposed modules to customize the phone and disable bloat.
Have any of you just bit the bullet and upgraded to an Oreo ROM without Root? What are your workarounds for not having Root? I've used BK Disabler before. Are there other Knox apps to do other Root-like functions?
I'm definitely thinking about jumping to a different phone, but I think my only option for a fully rootable phone on Sprint is getting a Pixel 3 right from Google...
Without root and Titanium Backup, what are you using to backup and restore app data?
ANY thoughts on the dilemma would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Logic would suggest to weigh the options. Which do you need more,The apps that wont work,Or root.
If you need the said app update. If you need root more stay rooted Til a better device comes along

muzicman82 said:
Hi all,
I use a lot of root apps and Xposed modules to customize the phone and disable bloat.
ANY thoughts on the dilemma would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Adhell 3 to disable bloat and block ads. Apart from that, I also have GoodLock and various other customization apps from the Galaxy Store. I don't really feel the need for root anymore.
Used to use a Oneplus 2 before this. Used several ROMs, even developed for the phone. Felt the need to root because Oxygen OS at that point didn't offer much.
But with Touchwiz, I already have all the features I need.

I have been rooting all my Android phones since old Samsung s2.
But for s8, i have been using for 1.5 years without rooting. There are a lot of alternative apps around for non root s8.
The upside is able to use apps that pass safety net etc.
The only downside is unable to use twrp backup. But since its not root, its quite safe and stable. Will not get bootloop and unable to boot into phone etc.

I may flash to BQL1 to trial-run without root.
Considered jumping to a Pixel 3, but as far as hardware goes, it looks a bit inferior to the S8.

Tmobile 6T Variant Rooting

Hello All,
Maybe i have missed this same question somewhere in the thousands of post and search just give random threads of rooting in general. My question out to all the TMO variant users that have rooted their 6T. I have not rooted any phone since the Galaxy note 5 as I just fell out of the rooting as most apps these days did for the most part everything I need. Some things cant but i lived without. Anyway.. To all those 6T TMO users and rooted. What and why did you root your 6T? Elaborate in like apps you used that needs root. Maybe if I get enough people listing useful items that need root and cant be done with an unrooted 6T. I may jump back into rooting again.
Thanks in advance..
O. if there is another thread similiar to this one regarding the TMO 6T. Please link it here.

My List of Reasons:
DriftorX said:
Hello All,
Maybe i have missed this same question somewhere in the thousands of post and search just give random threads of rooting in general. My question out to all the TMO variant users that have rooted their 6T. I have not rooted any phone since the Galaxy note 5 as I just fell out of the rooting as most apps these days did for the most part everything I need. Some things cant but i lived without. Anyway.. To all those 6T TMO users and rooted. What and why did you root your 6T? Elaborate in like apps you used that needs root. Maybe if I get enough people listing useful items that need root and cant be done with an unrooted 6T. I may jump back into rooting again.
Thanks in advance..
O. if there is another thread similiar to this one regarding the TMO 6T. Please link it here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I picked up my 6t on the 10th and i am currently waiting for my unlock token to unlock my bootloader, the reasons why i would take the time to root are as follow.
(P.S. Going to make this as neat as possible for those who just want a list of reasons instead of rambling)
Reasons:
=========================
* Magisk Modules
* Custom ROMs or/and Kernels
* TWRP Backups
* Kernel Auditor Edits (Battery Life or More Performance)
* Edit System files for what you need (Customization)
* Get the most out of what your phone can do.
* Audio Mods (Viper or Dolby Atmos)
* Adaway (I've never really seen in action but i think it is for Chrome or internet apps)
* Youtube Vanced (Non-Rooted users have this as well but with rooted users there are updates to the app right when they come out)
When you root your device you truly can do what you want, I use to own a V20 (LG) and had no what the **** root was but i came across it since my phone at the time was and lowkey is still trash but the point i am making is i was tired of waiting on LG to keep my phone up-to-date since it had a multitude of issues from hardware issues (Bootloops, Overheating, etc) to weak software (Terrible UI, Trash Updates, etc). Rooting helps me maintain my experience whenever or however i see fit, i don't have to rely on Oneplus (Although updates are fast) or even my Carrier T-Mobile, I control what happens and what exactly runs on my phone, not blindly allowing or even accepting that Oneplus or T-Mobile should know what is best for my phone; I truly set my own experience.
Apps:
================================
* Titanium Backup (Backup important app data to then import later from a data wipe or something.)
* Adaway (Takes care of ads on the Internet but correct me if i am wrong.)
* Youtube Vanced (Youtube Red features, except downloading videos.)
* Kernel Auditor (Control the CPU and GPU and much more, use it to underclock or overclock your phone to save battery or increase performance.)
* Tasker (Don't know much about this one but you can set useful tasks to launch or run to suit your needs.)
* Flashify (On the go recovery or kernel backups, use it to flash a custom recovery (Very ****ing useful if you accidentally lost TWRP) or even a boot image i believe.)
* Titanium Backup or some other system app uninstaller (Uninstall bloatware that you want off your phone.)
* Gravity Box (Xposed) (Don't know if it matters on Android Pie but it is used to add features that you want to add.)
* Magisk Modules (Get modules that you need or want on your phone that suit your needs or wants.)
Sure there are much more but this is all i got for you man, others will reply to you with probably more suited reasons but i hope i gave you a better idea on why it's good to have root. Like i always say, i'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Anyway, take care dude.

Whhooooaaa. Hold your horses. Lol. The LG V20 rooted is a beast. Didn't even trade mine in for the promotion. The poster above pretty much covered the basics of why I will be rooting (forgot about the dual sim capability on T-Mo variant once converted to the international). Just got my unlock bin today (got this baby on Black Friday) so I'm ready to rock. Oh yeah, battery life. Saw a screenshot of someone had like 38 hours since last charge.
Sent from my OnePlus6TSingle using XDA Labs

Viper4android, titanium back up

This is the first device I have rooted in years, and I don't see any advantage to doing so. However, I did unlock the bootloader so I could flash the international firmware, then had to root to use Magisk hide so I could use Android Pay. Outside of flashing the firmware, I do not see any advantage to rooting.

I have the t mobile version as well and i wont go without root. I use it to copy new fonts, ringtones i create, and set as any sound. I change boot animations, every few days. I test other software within a rooted system. Just depends on your needs. Oh and the biggest advantages is viper. I use it and the op6 dual speaker mod. Not the one for the 6t. With root i was able to add a proper always on, the aosp version, and digital well-being.. plus its nothing to root. Or unroot. Just tested the 9.06 hydrogen os build and bc of root was able to copy stuff back to my standard oxygen os.

jacksummers said:
I have the t mobile version as well and i wont go without root. I use it to copy new fonts, ringtones i create, and set as any sound. I change boot animations, every few days. I test other software within a rooted system. Just depends on your needs. Oh and the biggest advantages is viper. I use it and the op6 dual speaker mod. Not the one for the 6t. With root i was able to add a proper always on, the aosp version, and digital well-being.. plus its nothing to root. Or unroot. Just tested the 9.06 hydrogen os build and bc of root was able to copy stuff back to my standard oxygen os.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the speaker mod, do you have to install Viper for it to work?
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

phillymade said:
For the speaker mod, do you have to install Viper for it to work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. I got my own i tweaked a bit.. ill share soon

Substratum is working with swift black. Another reason to root. I have to have a blacked out theme.
Sent from my OnePlus6T using XDA Labs

well, I've rooted dozens of phones in my life, but my last 2, the Note 8, and this one, I havent found any real need to root; sure I would like Viper, and yes, I want to use Subs to theme, but thats it..
This phone is fast and smooth as any phone ever, with the stock rom, and not enough bloat or anything like that to make me root to get rid of; also, the "custom" roms that are out there are really nothing more than repacks of older setups, and, I dont see anything in any of them that are "must have's" for me. And, there are a few custom kernels as well, but, here again, I doubt they make the phone run any faster/smoother/better than it does right now..
I got my bootloader token weeks ago, but, still havent even bothered to unlock the bootloader yet, as I see no compelling reason to have my entire setup wiped and start again from scratch..
I guess if you haven't rooted much in the past, it remains a novelty to want to do it, but for those of us who have used mobile phones for decades now, this one is definitely awe sum, whether you root it or not, and, I am in no hurry what so ever to root it..

wase4711 said:
well, I've rooted dozens of phones in my life, but my last 2, the Note 8, and this one, I havent found any real need to root; sure I would like Viper, and yes, I want to use Subs to theme, but thats it..
This phone is fast and smooth as any phone ever, with the stock rom, and not enough bloat or anything like that to make me root to get rid of; also, the "custom" roms that are out there are really nothing more than repacks of older setups, and, I dont see anything in any of them that are "must have's" for me. And, there are a few custom kernels as well, but, here again, I doubt they make the phone run any faster/smoother/better than it does right now..
I got my bootloader token weeks ago, but, still havent even bothered to unlock the bootloader yet, as I see no compelling reason to have my entire setup wiped and start again from scratch..
I guess if you haven't rooted much in the past, it remains a novelty to want to do it, but for those of us who have used mobile phones for decades now, this one is definitely awe sum, whether you root it or not, and, I am in no hurry what so ever to root it..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1

I'm not rooted yet, but awaiting my bootloader unlock token.
I love this phone and it's 95% sufficient without root. The only reason I want to root is so I can install AdAway. I have been using Blockada however it isn't working as smoothly as AdAway did on my Nexus 5. I have intermittent network issues with Blockada which aren't caused by the block lists that I have - I toggle it off and on again it will work fine. So root + AdAway it is for me.