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.
Related
I have never "rooted" my phone. I was wondering what the Pros & Cons were, of doing it..
Menace II Society said:
I have never "rooted" my phone. I was wondering what the Pros & Cons were, of doing it..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Benefits are minimal if you are not a power user, or developer... The only real benefit I can think of is the WiFi teather.
Cons are things like voided warranty.
From the sounds of it, you need to do alot more research before you make the decision to root. Please use the search functionality on the forum.
Also, currently no root for the G2 that lasts past reboot.
I agree with above, I feel that the greatest thing gained from root access is the ability to enable Wifi (and Wired) tethering to other devices.
You can also:
Flash Custom Roms
Flash kernels to Overclock your CPU for better performance
Flash kernels to Undervolt your CPU for better battery life
There are also plenty of applications in the market that you can only use with Root Access. Just go to the Market and in the search bar type "Root" and you will see the different goodies that pop up.
Akulamenuri said:
I agree with above, I feel that the greatest thing gained from root access is the ability to enable Wifi (and Wired) tethering to other devices.
You can also:
Flash Custom Roms
Flash kernels to Overclock your CPU for better performance
Flash kernels to Undervolt your CPU for better battery life
There are also plenty of applications in the market that you can only use with Root Access. Just go to the Market and in the search bar type "Root" and you will see the different goodies that pop up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunatly, it looks like none of these advanced options will be available to G2 uses fro some time as the phone rejects the root on reboot...
Rejects the root on reboot, Rejects the root on reboot, Rejects the root on reboot... Mmmmm, Geeky tounge twister!
The key word being 'some time'... could be an hour, could be until the next OTA, so we can watch exactly how it 'vets' the new update.
I'd say that being able to install/uninstall the default apps the phone comes with would be something anyone would find useful. Same with being able to access the system filestructure, to tuck away new ringtones in the default directory, so the music app won't pick them up. Or with wallpapers into the default Wallpaper section, instead of cluttering up your Gallery. Overclocking the CPU would mostly be for tweakers, going for high marks on Linpack.
Personally, I'd love an app that remapped a few of the keyboard keys (like those useless 'quick launch' buttons, and the hat-go-on-foot STUPID www/com button) to something actually *useful*.
Though yes, wifi/wired tethering would be the icing on the cake, for those who actually need/use it.
1. Flashing custom roms (CM6 is the real deal)
2. Adding tethering back (rarely use it but its a part of froyo)
3. Ability to change notification settings (needs better trackpad lighting)
Those are the 3 reasons I would love getting root, but as Google continues to update the app, getting root becomes less and less important. As far as the ringtones someone mentioned above, just download ringdroid. It makes ringtones, alarms, notifications, etc. without making it into the music.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Forgot about the notification light color options.. that'd be nice too.
And no, Ringdroid seems to leave them visible to the Music app, annoyingly enough.
Talesin_BatBat said:
Forgot about the notification light color options.. that'd be nice too.
And no, Ringdroid seems to leave them visible to the Music app, annoyingly enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For ringtones and notification sounds I just put them in /sdcard/ringtones and /sdcard/notifications and they do not seem to appear in the Music app, and are available to the respective spinners to configure without third party apps...
How exactly do I root the phone? I've only jailbroken my iPhone. I don't know how to go about it with Android now.
Menace II Society said:
How exactly do I root the phone? I've only jailbroken my iPhone. I don't know how to go about it with Android now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No permanent root as of yet with the G2. Only temporary that reverts back on reboot.
Hang tight.
Hey guys,
I broought a desire z nam (Bell mobility branded) over the holidays. This is my first android device, so after a month of using it, I finally feel like I have my bearings for the platform (I'm coming from symbian). However, I have a few questions:
When I brought the phone, it came unlocked (I'm using it on AT&T's network in the US. Does this mean the phone has already been rooted? Is there an easy way I can check on this?
Since I am using the phone on at&t network, how will updates work for me? Is it possible for me to get any OTA updates? Or am I restricted to custom roms for updates? I am a little hesitant to use custom roms, as I need this phone to be reliable above all else, and I keep hearing about how unstable some of those roms can be.
What exactly is Cyberon Voice Commander? I always see it hogging a huge amount of memory in my running apps, and I'm wondering if its one of the base apps included with android. Searching around, it seems that it is used for speech to text, so if I remove it, will voice seach and voice actions no longer work?
Speaking of running apps, is it normal to have 50+ apps running at the same time? This phone boots with a ton of apps already running, and a lot of them seem like system processes. The phone does feel sluggish at time; however, this being my first and only android device, I don't really have a good reference to whether this is normal or not.
The touchscreen seems off. It always tends to register touches slighty above or below where my finger hits (super annoying when you're trying to select something on a list) is there any way to calibrate the screen?
On the subject of screens, is there a way to activate the screen other than pressing the power button? That button is a bit hard to reach for me, especially with 1 hhand operation
Htcsense.com doesn't seem to be working for me. It can't locate my phone, making the phone ring doesn't do anything, and I don't see the menu bar up top. Anyone know what's up with it?
And finally, I'm trying to find a good chinese handwriting input method; the phone comes with pinyin and wubihua input methods on the default htc keyboard, but no handwriting reconginition. The only app I found on the market for it is terrrible at picking up my strokes (HanWriting IME), can anyone recommend anything for it?
Thanks a bunch
I have the same device running on ATT as well.
The phone does not come 'rooted' even if it is an unlocked version. Root allows you to write to the 'OS Partition' on the phone memory in addition to other things. To check if you have root, you need to boot into the recovery mode of the phone. The first line in recovery will read either S-OFF (root obtained) or S-ON (no root). I suggest reading up on 'GFREE' and using that method to obtain root. Visionary is also an option, but doesn't appear to be as 'safe' as GFREE.
As far as I know, we are on our own for OTA updates. I have been using Custom ROMs on my device since about day 3 of owning it and it was the best decision I have made. I currently run CyanogenMod 6.1 and it runs great. Much better than stock. It is VERY stable and I haven't had any issues, everything is working. They are currently developing CyanogenMod 7 (Android 2.3) but it not officially released as stable version yet.
I am not familiar with that Voice Commander app. Check Google.
I don't have 50+ apps running but do have quite a few. Froyo 2.2 (shipped on phone with HTC Sense Skin) is designed to automatically shut down applications that are not being used so they do not eat up system resources. I didn't use stock for long, so I can't say how it performs but I have no lag issues with Cyanogen.
I do recall a 'calibration' option on Stock, but again I didn't use it for long and can't remember where it was.
In Cyanogen mod you can wake up the screen by pressing the track pad. Search in the Themes and Apps section of the Desire Z/G2 forum and there is an application you can install that does the same thing. I think its called Trackpad Wake.
Sorry never used HTCsense.com or any chinese writing apps. For the writing app, you can check the Android Themes/Applications thread from the main forum page. There are lots of other apps discussed there that are no in the Desire Z forum.
Welcome to Android!
Some good answer in the post above. Just to add some additional info:
The Vision Wiki describes how to verify root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision
But your phone is likely not rooted. When you buy a phone unlocked, that usually means SIM unlocked, so you can use other SIM cards besides Bell. Cell phone dealers usually just have ways to get the SIM unlock codes for phones, same as the paid SIM unlock services you find on eBay and other places.
All ROMs have bugs, including the "official" ones. In my experience, the custom ROMs usually are more stable and less bugs than the official ones they are based on. In any case, I wouldn't worry too much about OTA updates. If you want to flash an official ROM, they get posted on here faster then you would get them OTA.
I just checked, and I have exactly 50 apps running on my Bell Desire Z (running on AT&T like you). I wouldn't worry about it. As mentioned in the previous reply, Android is designed to keep processes open in the background until the memory is needed, then it kills idle processes as needed.
I've never used a Symbian phone. But the Desire Z is one of the fastest Android phones currently on the market. It gets bogged down a bit by the Sense UI in some conditions (especially if you have lots of widgets loaded). But this is minor, and I have found the performance to be very good overall. If you want some more speed, you can root and overclock the CPU. Overclocking to 1 GHz does not even increase voltage to the CPU, so the effect on battery life and risk is minimal.
HTCSense.com is still a work in progress, unfortunately. The features not working is normal, its not just you.
Cyberon Voice Commander is bloatware pre-installed by Bell. Its supposed to allow you to command the phone (with your voice, obviously) without having to touch the screen to perform certain functions (call or find a contact, play a song, etc.). But its pretty useless, and pure crap, IMO. Even when it recognizes your command, it will often still require touch input to make the selection, which completely defeats the purpose! Its faster to just access the functions the normal way.
Bloatware is part of the ROM, and therefore not completely straightforward to remove. All methods require the phone be rooted, AFAIK. The following thread has a method (using Titanium Backup) to remove most of the bloat.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=831584
I've also found a paid app ($1.99) on the market called Absolute System Root Tool removes the bloatware successfully
As mentioned, there is a hack to make the trackpad button wake the phone. But I couldn't tell if the feature could be removed or turned off, so I haven't tried it yet, personally.
Aha, a fellow Symbian convert! Welcome to the greatest phone ever - like an N97 that doesn't suck. I used to run Symbian-Guru.com - please feel free to PM me with *any* questions, I still love to help folks.
I would *highly* suggest you root your phone, if for no other reason than to dump the bloatware that comes with it and be able to take screenshots and that sort of thing. You may also want to look at the Virtuous ROM - it's a port of the Desire Z ROM that has some extras built-in. I've been using it on my G2 pretty much since I got it and it's fan-freakin-tastic. I easily get 12-15hrs of battery life, and that's with normal usage. It also has trackpad wake built right in - it's awesome.
Most of your other questions were answered above. In any case, welcome to XDA, and to Android.
Thanks for the replies. I'm loving the phone so far; just there's a lot of quirks in android that I'm not used to. That's to be expected with any transition to a different os, so I'm sure ill adapt.
you mentioned offical roms are also posted there as well; will flashing those roms require S-OFF? I might be in the minority, but I actually like senseUI. The only thing I wish I could change would be replacing the customization button on the dock with a browser shortcut. I've tried adw and launcherpro, but everytime I end up missing the htc widgets and going back to sense.
Ill probably start looking into some custom roms. I'm really holding out for the offical 2.3 update though. Ill also have to find a way to revert to the original rom should I not like the new one. I can't seem to find a copy of the original rom from bell to download anywhere; so is titanium backup my only option? Finally if I flash in a new rom, (offical or custom) will I lose my carrier unlock?
Thanks
Before you flash any different ROM you should do what is called a "nandroid" backup of your current ROM via Clockwork Recovery/ROM Manager (which you can install once you have root and S-OFF).
No, flashing a different ROM will not lose your SIM unlock.
If you have SuperCID from gfree, then you will be able to flash different official ROMs, not just the Bell one.
Sent from my HTC Desire Z
makken85 said:
Thanks for the replies.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please hit the "thanks" button on the responses that were helpful to you. So those of use that took the time to answer can increase their thanks meters!
You're not completely alone. I like Sense also! FYI, the Virtuous ROM recommended by orange bandit is a custom one built on the Sense UI. Although I'm probably going to wait until a Gingerbread Sense ROM myself.
makken85 said:
Thanks for the replies. I'm loving the phone so far; just there's a lot of quirks in android that I'm not used to. That's to be expected with any transition to a different os, so I'm sure ill adapt.
you mentioned offical roms are also posted there as well; will flashing those roms require S-OFF? I might be in the minority, but I actually like senseUI. The only thing I wish I could change would be replacing the customization button on the dock with a browser shortcut. I've tried adw and launcherpro, but everytime I end up missing the htc widgets and going back to sense.
Ill probably start looking into some custom roms. I'm really holding out for the offical 2.3 update though. Ill also have to find a way to revert to the original rom should I not like the new one. I can't seem to find a copy of the original rom from bell to download anywhere; so is titanium backup my only option? Finally if I flash in a new rom, (offical or custom) will I lose my carrier unlock?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Virtuous ROM is basically the same as what you're running now, but fully rooted with some improvements here and there (trackpad wake, a bit of overclocking, etc).
There is a Rosie hack to be able to replace the right dock button with whatever you want, here's the link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=876464
I did it on my Virtuous ROM, works great, though I couldn't stand the simplicity of Sense and went back to LauncherPro, myself.
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.
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.
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.