Database Users

Rooting as a whole

Seems after getting the Note 4 I have found my self wondering how I was ever with out root. Its crazy I cant stand this phone with out root. Its maddening to know I have Ads and apps I don't need. If Verizon didn't offer this phone at Christmas for 150.00 I would have never got it. #1 Reason no root was out yet but I took a chance. I know now or always have that you DEVS work hard to get stuff done. This was just a big ....
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK!

Root will be out soon. I had no patience and switched to the Dev edition. I HATE ads and clustered samsung status bar with passion...

WhiteReign said:
Seems after getting the Note 4 I have found my self wondering how I was ever with out root. Its crazy I cant stand this phone with out root. Its maddening to know I have Ads and apps I don't need. If Verizon didn't offer this phone at Christmas for 150.00 I would have never got it. #1 Reason no root was out yet but I took a chance. I know now or always have that you DEVS work hard to get stuff done. This was just a big ....
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Articulated very nicely. I too long for Root and full control of my phone restored in my hands.

Op is the one who has joined XDA since 2011 and more than 400+ thanks (out of 500+ posts ) Posted this in the wrong forum accidentally or didn't know this is development forum

This is exactly why I sold my Verizon n4 and got a nexus 6. I have never had a phone without root. It was driving me nuts as well. I love the phone but couldn't deal with no root. I check back periodically to see if root has been achieved. Maybe one day I will have a n4 again.

Meh... You can disable the bloat with the stock app manager... Yeah, not 100%, but I am not gonna obsess about 4 or 5 tiny apps or services running in the background that I don't see or notice anyway... I am not that much of a control freak... It's a phone, not the center of my universe that I feel compelled to bend 100% to my will.. hehe
Root would be nice I guess, but on these newer phones, the appeal is less and less. I can skin it however I want with dozens of launchers, and debloating a few extra apps with root won't make it any faster...
By the time root comes out, the devs will have moved on to newer phones so the ROM support will suck anyway...

It's unfortunate. I would love to have root access on this phone for various reasons . My next phone will have it, even if I have to leave Verizon.
Sadly, the Verizon Note 4 is never going to see it...at least not before the next round of Note flagships

First post, just got a note 4. Had a rooted lg g2 before it. I'm loving the note so far (only had it about a week), but I use limelight to play computer games on my phone and it doesn't support mouse input very well without root access. . . As has been said I've disabled most of the bloat, but it would be nice to be able to just get rid of it. Also Sixaxis controller requires root to pair a ps3 or 4 controller to my phone... I hope root comes soon, maybe I should become a developer to help the cause. I too thank you for all your work.

SquireSCA said:
Meh... You can disable the bloat with the stock app manager... Yeah, not 100%, but I am not gonna obsess about 4 or 5 tiny apps or services running in the background that I don't see or notice anyway... I am not that much of a control freak... It's a phone, not the center of my universe that I feel compelled to bend 100% to my will.. hehe
Root would be nice I guess, but on these newer phones, the appeal is less and less. I can skin it however I want with dozens of launchers, and debloating a few extra apps with root won't make it any faster...
By the time root comes out, the devs will have moved on to newer phones so the ROM support will suck anyway...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can disable any app you want using adb shell.
This issue around root has been interesting for me. For awhile, I was like you, OP and many others who feel they must have root. However, after about 5 weeks of use now, I find myself perfectly happy with the Note 4 just the way it is and I wonder if I'll even take root-ability into consideration when making my next phone purchase.

mlin said:
You can disable any app you want using adb shell.
This issue around root has been interesting for me. For awhile, I was like you, OP and many others who feel they must have root. However, after about 5 weeks of use now, I find myself perfectly happy with the Note 4 just the way it is and I wonder if I'll even take root-ability into consideration when making my next phone purchase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am with you. Root used to be mandatory IMHO, as phone makers just didn't seem to be able to get the phone's to work properly out of the box... slow, clunky, missing things, instability, outdated software, etc...
Nowadays, I just don't see that. Typically it is the ROMs that are unstable, miss features, etc... I see thread after thread of this great new ROM! But the camera is flunky, doesn't have data, or the IR blaster doesn't work, etc...
I had an LG G2 and the ROMs didn't impress me much. Went to a GS5 and was even less impressed. None of the ones that I tried were measurably faster than stock, none were 100% functional, or if they were, they were just tweaked stock ROMs and so what's the point? Risk warranty issues or bricking it, or not able to get OTA's, for what? Just to be able to brag to my nerd friends that I had a transparent status bar because a regular one bothers me SOOOO SOOOO much? LOL
The Note 4, is amazing. Debloat it with ADB or with the app manager, install your favorite launcher and icon pack to get the look and feel that you want, and know that it will work 100%, it's fast, stable and no warranty issues, no being left out when Lollipop drops and you want it but it breaks root again so you have to stick with the old software, etc...

I'm with you guys. I come from a Nexus4 and still have a Nexus7. I miss root for Titanium backup and that's about it. Sure I'm going to once it drops but the note is a very capable device able to stand on its own.

SquireSCA said:
Meh... You can disable the bloat with the stock app manager... Yeah, not 100%, but I am not gonna obsess about 4 or 5 tiny apps or services running in the background that I don't see or notice anyway... I am not that much of a control freak... It's a phone, not the center of my universe that I feel compelled to bend 100% to my will.. hehe
Root would be nice I guess, but on these newer phones, the appeal is less and less. I can skin it however I want with dozens of launchers, and debloating a few extra apps with root won't make it any faster...
By the time root comes out, the devs will have moved on to newer phones so the ROM support will suck anyway...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4 or 5 apps? You must be oblivious to the hundreds of services and dozens of apps that are running on your phone. Don't forget about hundreds of intents that must all be doing something in your favor.
Big Red just wants your phone to run smooth and they want your battery life to be even more fabulous.

xdadevnube said:
4 or 5 apps? You must be oblivious to the hundreds of services and dozens of apps that are running on your phone. Don't forget about hundreds of intents that must all be doing something in your favor.
Big Red just wants your phone to run smooth and they want your battery life to be even more fabulous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can disable any app on the phone with this.

xdadevnube said:
4 or 5 apps? You must be oblivious to the hundreds of services and dozens of apps that are running on your phone. Don't forget about hundreds of intents that must all be doing something in your favor.
Big Red just wants your phone to run smooth and they want your battery life to be even more fabulous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can disable most of the things in the app manager. There are only a few that you can't, but then you can do that with ADB. Either way, you can debloat the phone, without root, and without risk of messing up your warranty or the ability to get the Lollipop OTA in a few weeks.
Also, a lot of reviews have shown that disabling everything under the sun to free up RAM, can actually slow your phone down, not speed it up.
Getting the true crap disabled, is the biggest thing and anyone can do that without root today.

It doesn't have to be the center of someone's Universe for them to enjoy changing it and making it their own, people do this will all types of things. Some would call it a "hobby" or an interest. Lots of people enjoy spending hours on Facebook or playing video games, others enjoy tinkering with their devices.
I went for a while with a retail Note 4 and ended up getting a DE. There are too many things that I missed, here are some of them:
Add WiFi HotSpot Toggle and Bypass Subscription Check
Add Flashlight Toggle
AdAway
Titanium Backup
Viper4Android
Root Explorer
Xposed Framework with the following modules:
-Youtube AdAway
-Play Store Link In App Info
-Wanam
-Swype Keyboard Tweaks
-Notify Clean (Clean notification area)
-No Map Tips (Disable Google Play Maps location accuracy tips)
-Google Play Music Listen Later (Change the default Google Play Music pane and tabs)
-Disable Clear Defaults Dialog
Chrome Pie (Add Pie control to Chrome)

SquireSCA said:
Meh... You can disable the bloat with the stock app manager... Yeah, not 100%, but I am not gonna obsess about 4 or 5 tiny apps or services running in the background that I don't see or notice anyway... I am not that much of a control freak... It's a phone, not the center of my universe that I feel compelled to bend 100% to my will.. hehe
Root would be nice I guess, but on these newer phones, the appeal is less and less. I can skin it however I want with dozens of launchers, and debloating a few extra apps with root won't make it any faster...
By the time root comes out, the devs will have moved on to newer phones so the ROM support will suck anyway...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And whats even better you can block every single possible app with adb !
Until we get root its live able without it.
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA Free mobile app

SquireSCA said:
You can disable most of the things in the app manager. There are only a few that you can't, but then you can do that with ADB. Either way, you can debloat the phone, without root, and without risk of messing up your warranty or the ability to get the Lollipop OTA in a few weeks.
Also, a lot of reviews have shown that disabling everything under the sun to free up RAM, can actually slow your phone down, not speed it up.
Getting the true crap disabled, is the biggest thing and anyone can do that without root today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
like I said, oblivious

The Note 4 is so sick the way it is! Do I wish we had root? Check. Do I wish we had unlocked bootloader? Check. Am I gonna give up on THE best phone out right now because I don't have those things? Hell NO! The phone is a beast! And I'll keep waiting, maybe for nothing....... but if it is for nothing, I'll live. Love the Note 4! And sticking with it no matter what.

zounduser said:
The Note 4 is so sick the way it is! Do I wish we had root? Check. Do I wish we had unlocked bootloader? Check. Am I gonna give up on THE best phone out right now because I don't have those things? Hell NO! The phone is a beast! And I'll keep waiting, maybe for nothing....... but if it is for nothing, I'll live. Love the Note 4! And sticking with it no matter what.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phone sucks without root. Seems like you don't need your xda account anymore
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app
---------- Post added at 11:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 PM ----------
I can't use a phone without pie controls. Comes in handywhen laying in the bed
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app

I miss being able to use better battery stats to follow wakelocks. I haven't had any real issues with wakelocks so far, but it really is just a matter of time.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Root by March 1. Over/Under Poll

Will the Verizon Galaxy Note 4 Retail see root by March 1, 2015? Wanted to see what you guys think in a poll.

There are threads where this should go.
There are people messing around with getting root, but nothing real serious. Unfortunately, the Verizon retail Note 4 isn't likely to ever get root, certainly not by March. No chance.

There's a radio button for that

jpfulton248 said:
Will the Verizon Galaxy Note 4 Retail see root by March 1, 2015? Wanted to see what you guys think in a poll.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm mobile, can't see the poll. I'd say between lollipop possibilities and recently discussed exploits, 60% chance.

Are there android phones in the past or current that has never seen root access?

The only thing I use root for is Titanium Backup so I can freeze bloatware. That is about it, but I have enough memory and quite frankly the stock works very well for me.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

They are crackin' pretty hard at it over on the AT&T side. If they find a way, it should work for us. Here's hoping. This thing runs great but these dangforblasted white screens are driving me insane. Time-line? Who knows. The sooner the better.

AtariDroid said:
They are crackin' pretty hard at it over on the AT&T side. If they find a way, it should work for us. Here's hoping. This thing runs great but these dangforblasted white screens are driving me insane. Time-line? Who knows. The sooner the better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was actually my motivation for starting this thread. It seems like it's heating up a bit over there and I was wondering if that had changed anyone's opinion from the first "Root Poll" thread started a while ago. I'm certainly more optimistic after seeing all of the activity. On the other hand history does seem to shoe that the big advances seem to come from people who have been silently waiting in the wings.

Yea it has been a while since I put up that root poll. It's since died out which is understandable.
My point of view is (and yes I voted) lol
I don't believe well see root in this device! I fear that this is the way it's going to be for most new devices rolling out from here on out. Unless you purchase a dev edition.
To me. The phone runs very well! Use the blocking script and u can free up some ram. Otherwise the only things Im missing the most is cleaning up the notification bar and TiBu. Otherwise I'm happy!
Course this is just my opinion.
Carry on

freddy0872 said:
Yea it has been a while since I put up that root poll. It's since died out which is understandable.
My point of view is (and yes I voted) lol
I don't believe well see root in this device! I fear that this is the way it's going to be for most new devices rolling out from here on out. Unless you purchase a dev edition.
To me. The phone runs very well! Use the blocking script and u can free up some ram. Otherwise the only things Im missing the most is cleaning up the notification bar and TiBu. Otherwise I'm happy!
Course this is just my opinion.
Carry on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Color Status Bar gives you full control over the notification panel without root. Helium retains a lot of TiBu functionality without root.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Once I can find a way to spoof GPS without having "Allow Mock Location" I won't be obsessed with this phone getting root. I love the phone regardless.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

jpfulton248 said:
Will the Verizon Galaxy Note 4 Retail see root by March 1, 2015? Wanted to see what you guys think in a poll.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not gonna happen

Not going to happen. Saving for iPhone 6 plus were jailbreak works no matter what carrier. Maybe the m8. Does the m8 have root on verizon even? It's going to take me a while to save 800 bucks, maybe we will get lucky. Stock would not be bad, but suckwiz is killing me.

I've been optimistic for those on the note 4 verizon version, unfortunatley the sad truth is, its either going to never come to note 4 or will be almost a year till root is achieved. I'm going to be staying with my note 3 for a long time. Possibly forever, until note edge/edge 2 note 5 gets root and custom recovery. Just my opinion, I'm cheering you guys on, it's hard without dev support. Once the dev support get's tripled than might have a better chance. But till then, your gonna have to wait it out. Best of luck and I'm rooting for your guys

I am not optimistic. I suppose it is the DE edition for the N5 or off to another manufacturer whose phone can be rooted.

Can't really put the blame on the manufacturer. I understand that tmobile variant of the Note 4 can be rooted. It's a carrier thing. Maybe Samsung just has a more secure method. But it's only there because Verizon wants it there.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

jpfulton248 said:
Once I can find a way to spoof GPS without having "Allow Mock Location" I won't be obsessed with this phone getting root. I love the phone regardless.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[/QUOTE]
why do you need to spoof GPS? you play Ingress? if you do, it's against tos

outcasted2003 said:
The only thing I use root for is Titanium Backup so I can freeze bloatware. That is about it, but I have enough memory and quite frankly the stock works very well for me.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wouldn't like to be able to write to sdcard using any method of your choice?

Nope. MLB at Bat app. If I want to watch my home team I can't be in the tv/radio "broadcast territory" of either of the teams playing. On my previous phone I used "FakeGPS". Apk has to be copied to "/system/priv-app" in order to work with "Allow Mock Locations" turned off... MLB at Bat app knows if Allow Mock is turned on.

And maybe it was PEBKAC but I'm pretty sure I tried renaming a picture on my SD Card and was denied. Insanity.

Sell me on root

I haven't updated and I have plenty of devices that are rooted, but it's always usually a hassle, usually stuff breaks and not everything works. The main reason I like to root. Is to remove bloatware and change some main features. What for you guys is the selling point to root your phone?

I haven't done it yet, but I like to have it to increase battery life to the max and remove ads.

GigaSPX said:
I haven't done it yet, but I like to have it to increase battery life to the max and remove ads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's root... If that doesn't sell you... then buy an iPhone.

RBThompsonV said:
it's root... If that doesn't sell you... then buy an iPhone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you referring to me or TC? I'm just telling him what I like root for and what its selling point for me is.
Even then, an iPhone still can't do as much as stock Android phones. I just haven't the time to do root on my S7 Edge because I'm still speculating on whether the bugs will be fixed and all (such as making Samsung Pay work).

GigaSPX said:
Are you referring to me or TC? I'm just telling him what I like root for and what its selling point for me is.
Even then, an iPhone still can't do as much as stock Android phones. I just haven't the time to do root on my S7 Edge because I'm still speculating on whether the bugs will be fixed and all (such as making Samsung Pay work).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I was just being a douche to the OP....

I'm on apd2 just got the phone today. Is that version rootable?
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

alsgarage said:
I'm on apd2 just got the phone today. Is that version rootable?
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup and PE1 is also.

Doesn't look like anyone is selling this person on root. I'll try.
I have rooted my phones in the past but going to stay away from it for now on the S7 Edge because of Samsung Pay.
Best reasons to root from my perspective, off the top of my head:
Titanium backup! This is one of the things I miss the most.
Xposed Modules: GravityBox (love playing and tweaking the settings), YouTube Adaway (if you don't have a Red account, use this)
Viper4Android (best audio tweaking/enhancing mod for any phone)
Liveboot (changes boot animation, love this one)
There's this thing called Lucky Patcher but you can research that on your own

xocomaox said:
Doesn't look like anyone is selling this person on root. I'll try.
I have rooted my phones in the past but going to stay away from it for now on the S7 Edge because of Samsung Pay.
Best reasons to root from my perspective, off the top of my head:
Titanium backup! This is one of the things I miss the most.
Xposed Modules: GravityBox (love playing and tweaking the settings), YouTube Adaway (if you don't have a Red account, use this)
Viper4Android (best audio tweaking/enhancing mod for any phone)
Liveboot (changes boot animation, love this one)
There's this thing called Lucky Patcher but you can research that on your own
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See, that's why I'm swaying my mind about root. Samsung Pay is extraordinarily versatile and it actually accepted one of my credit cards for use. I have NEVER used Samsung Pay in a real life situation yet since I haven't a need to, but I would like to keep my options opened in case I do forget my wallet and all.
Whyyyyyyy? >_<

GigaSPX said:
See, that's why I'm swaying my mind about root. Samsung Pay is extraordinarily versatile and it actually accepted one of my credit cards for use. I have NEVER used Samsung Pay in a real life situation yet since I haven't a need to, but I would like to keep my options opened in case I do forget my wallet and all.
Whyyyyyyy? >_<
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should really try it out sooner rather than later. There are such great things with root and you currently have nothing keeping you from doing it. You can always go back to stock to use SPay, but at least decide if you would like it or not.
Actually, if you live in the US, make three small purchases between now and August 2nd to get a free $10 Amazon gift card. It's the current promo going on right now. Although you may want to waif for another "First use" Samsung Pay promo where you can sometimes get decent stuff. I got a $30 eBay gift card for my first SPay use back in April.

And Qualcomm S7 root is reversible so you can try it and, if you don't like it, restore the non-rooted state with Samsung Pay.
Other thoughts (on how I use root):
App settings: this allows you to set DPI (and other settings) per app. This way, I can run the phone at 400 dpi but have the camera and other apps run at their native DPI full screen
Amplify/Greenify can do wonders to your battery by controlling how often certain programs call home.

Anyone know if update that came out today kills root?
Sent from my SM-G935V using XDA-Developers mobile app

mdonnelly1127 said:
Anyone know if update that came out today kills root?
Sent from my SM-G935V using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure it does not as the idea behind this root method is that you are not rooting the kernel that this firmware update comes with, but the engineering one. Since you are only allowed to flash "official" firmwares, this update would not block it.
You're not exploiting the carrier's stuff, but an engineering kernel that is legal to flash tot he phone without rejection. If that makes sense.

xocomaox said:
I'm pretty sure it does not as the idea behind this root method is that you are not rooting the kernel that this firmware update comes with, but the engineering one. Since you are only allowed to flash "official" firmwares, this update would not block it.
You're not exploiting the carrier's stuff, but an engineering kernel that is legal to flash tot he phone without rejection. If that makes sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does lol thank you
Sent from my SM-G935V using XDA-Developers mobile app

i love having root but I actually use SamPay allot so unfortunately root doesn't give me anything i want more than SamPay. Hopefully something like rootcloak will allow SamPay to work soon??

Is Samsung Pay more useful than Android Pay, which I believe works with root? I don't really care about either app because my bank is always behind the times and still can't be used in Apple Pay or Android Pay (I just tried again and still not supported by my bank).
You guys pretty much hit all the reasons that I like root, especially all the Xposed modules to do things like keep YouTube playing with screen off and recording phone calls, and just having control over the operating system in general. I couldn't imagine if Windows was locked down like Android, yet 99% of people just accept being restricted on their mobile devices. I've always tinkered with computers though so having less than root or admin access to stuff is maddening. I'm glad that I'm a domain admin at work and not just another pleeb user, haha.
I wouldn't necessarily count on root helping your battery life a ton, though. I've done lots of crap to try and help, yet it still consumes 2 or 3% an hour in standby, just as it did when it was full of bloat with tons of wake locks. That's with AOD on and Bluetooth enabled and connected to my Gear S2 though, which are bigger battery hogs than the little tweaks that I've done with Greenify, Amplify, and Titanium app-freezing.
A couple other things I want root for are Tasker & FolderMount, though the latter has caused me to Odin my phone back to life twice in an attempt to make it work.

snake2332 said:
Is Samsung Pay more useful than Android Pay, which I believe works with root? I don't really care about either app because my bank is always behind the times and still can't be used in Apple Pay or Android Pay (I just tried again and still not supported by my bank).
You guys pretty much hit all the reasons that I like root, especially all the Xposed modules to do things like keep YouTube playing with screen off and recording phone calls, and just having control over the operating system in general. I couldn't imagine if Windows was locked down like Android, yet 99% of people just accept being restricted on their mobile devices. I've always tinkered with computers though so having less than root or admin access to stuff is maddening. I'm glad that I'm a domain admin at work and not just another pleeb user, haha.
I wouldn't necessarily count on root helping your battery life a ton, though. I've done lots of crap to try and help, yet it still consumes 2 or 3% an hour in standby, just as it did when it was full of bloat with tons of wake locks. That's with AOD on and Bluetooth enabled and connected to my Gear S2 though, which are bigger battery hogs than the little tweaks that I've done with Greenify, Amplify, and Titanium app-freezing.
A couple other things I want root for are Tasker & FolderMount, though the latter has caused me to Odin my phone back to life twice in an attempt to make it work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Pay does not work with root iirc.

snake2332 said:
Is Samsung Pay more useful than Android Pay, which I believe works with root? I don't really care about either app because my bank is always behind the times and still can't be used in Apple Pay or Android Pay (I just tried again and still not supported by my bank).
You guys pretty much hit all the reasons that I like root, especially all the Xposed modules to do things like keep YouTube playing with screen off and recording phone calls, and just having control over the operating system in general. I couldn't imagine if Windows was locked down like Android, yet 99% of people just accept being restricted on their mobile devices. I've always tinkered with computers though so having less than root or admin access to stuff is maddening. I'm glad that I'm a domain admin at work and not just another pleeb user, haha.
I wouldn't necessarily count on root helping your battery life a ton, though. I've done lots of crap to try and help, yet it still consumes 2 or 3% an hour in standby, just as it did when it was full of bloat with tons of wake locks. That's with AOD on and Bluetooth enabled and connected to my Gear S2 though, which are bigger battery hogs than the little tweaks that I've done with Greenify, Amplify, and Titanium app-freezing.
A couple other things I want root for are Tasker & FolderMount, though the latter has caused me to Odin my phone back to life twice in an attempt to make it work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMO, I feel like I have faster battery drainage with root than without, and I'm on the U firmware right now.

I would say that if you don't know if/why you want root, then you probably don't want it. Particularly in the case of the s7e for VZ. There really isn't anything in the way of custom ROMs or mods yet. I also don't think battery life and performance are any better with root, and in fact I believe it could be the opposite. One of the most common things I hear is people wanting to remove bloat, although the effect of that can mostly be accomplished through an app like package disabler.
Having said that I rooted simply because I wanted to. I like knowing that I can do whatever I'd like on my device. While I have yet to find any critical functionality that being rooted on the S7E gives me that I didn't have without it...I like playing around with things like tasker, and editing the build.prop file.
I've had Titanium backup for a long time, and I certainly like being able to use that again.
I'd like to see a native tethering mod, but since I have Foxfi that's simply a matter of convenience.

I used to be all about root until the Note 5. That phone was fast enough and good enough battery that I didn't need to break samsung pay forever to get root. Then I had a Nexus 6p, rooted immediately but no ROMS were as dependable as stock so I stayed stock and used Android Pay. Now I jump ship to VZW where we seem to get the lock down more often than not, and I really don't care.
Keep it stock, enjoy monthly security updates and Samsung Pay. Just use Samsung browser adaway for Internet ads, and Package Disabler Pro if you'd care to slim down any apps that aren't easily disabled without it. Root causes more headache than its worth for me.

To root or not to root?

UPDATE: Just got a conversation with CS in my country. It seems that the article provided by sir gnmmarechal is 100% confirmed. Here are screenshots of our conv.
Spoiler
https://ibb.co/cEDxfk
https://ibb.co/dLo8mQ
Hey guys, so the question is simple. Should I or should I not? At least not for a month or two.
I've had this habit of tripping knox after 1-2 months of use ever since the Galaxy S5. But now I've been missing all my purchased root apps and especially the v4a. However, what I'm worried about are those few issues poppin out after some time like what happened with the S7e. So I'm torn between rooting or not.
Any suggestions? Thanks guys.
Edit: So here are the few things you guys have shared (so far):
* Rooting doesn't void warranty: https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/...iphone-rooting-android-does-not-void-warranty
Few Alternatives for staying unrooted:
* TitaniumBackup Alt: Helium
* Adaway alt: Adhell. Also, samsung's own browser now supports extensions and you can download an adblock for it.
* v4a alt: none atm
* xposed alt: none atm
* expanded reboot menu: none
* doubletap statusbar to lock: none
Thanks:
* @gnmmarechal
* @LudoGris
* everybody else
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Go for it! I don't remember the last time I didn't root a device within the first week of owning it
Sent from my cave of despair where I collect souls

I didn't have Samsung since S6 which was disaster, then I had two iphones: 6s and recently 7 respectively. Now I moved back to Samsung, as I bought S8. Personally, I find rooting useless at least for now. There aren't any major/valuable tweaks available around. Unless you really want that V4A (which is overrated in my opinion), then don't root it. I rooted my S6 after about 3 months. What I would really like to see is a stereo mod that would enable front speaker to play music.

gnmmarechal said:
Go for it! I don't remember the last time I didn't root a device within the first week of owning it
Sent from my cave of despair where I collect souls
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just worried that samsung might not accept my warranty if an issue pops out.
Monnq said:
I didn't have Samsung since S6 which was disaster, then I had two iphones: 6s and recently 7 respectively. Now I moved back to Samsung, as I bought S8. Personally, I find rooting useless at least for now. There aren't any major/valuable tweaks available around. Unless you really want that V4A (which is overrated in my opinion), then don't root it. I rooted my S6 after about 3 months. What I would really like to see is a stereo mod that would enable front speaker to play music.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I actually miss really are Root Explorer, Adblock, V4A, Titanium Backup. After switching to this new phone, I can't handle those ads constantly annoying me everytime I press something on my screen when browsing. Haha
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annson08 said:
I'm just worried that samsung might not accept my warranty if an issue pops out.
What I actually miss really are Root Explorer, Adblock, V4A, Titanium Backup. After switching to this new phone, I can't handle those ads constantly annoying me everytime I press something on my screen when browsing. Haha
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Click to collapse
https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/...iphone-rooting-android-does-not-void-warranty
Sent from my cave of despair where I collect souls

gnmmarechal said:
https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/...iphone-rooting-android-does-not-void-warranty
Sent from my cave of despair where I collect souls
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Click to collapse
This is a great article, I also got on different conversation before regarding this. Some are claiming that they are still able to claim their warranty after tripping knox (like the artile also said) just as long as the issue is not related to it but some says differently so I'm not confident enough with the claims. Let me try to ask the CS here in my country.
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annson08 said:
I'm just worried that samsung might not accept my warranty if an issue pops out.
What I actually miss really are Root Explorer, Adblock, V4A, Titanium Backup. After switching to this new phone, I can't handle those ads constantly annoying me everytime I press something on my screen when browsing. Haha
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Click to collapse
Root Explorer - The My Files App isn't that bad. Only thing you really miss is the ability to edit root folders, which what do you need that for?
Adblock - AdHell on Samsung Galaxy Store. Uses Knox to block all ads on your phone. No need for rooting for this anymore.
V4A - can't help you here
Titanium Backup - Samsung and Google do a pretty good job of backing up all my apps. Only thing I really lose is the data from the apps.
All in all I don't root anymore due to the best abilities of the phones coming with everything I have wanted. Sure, I could customize a slight bit more with a rooted phone, but the downsides of rooting - being a flashaholic, worrying about tripping hardware mines, bad ROMs, bootloop, etc. - are enough to make me stay away now. I get everything I want from the Samsung phone the way it is now.
I can't believe I just wrote that! I have been rooting for years now. What is wrong with me!!!!

LudoGris said:
Root Explorer - The My Files App isn't that bad. Only thing you really miss is the ability to edit root folders, which what do you need that for?
Adblock - AdHell on Samsung Galaxy Store. Uses Knox to block all ads on your phone. No need for rooting for this anymore.
V4A - can't help you here
Titanium Backup - Samsung and Google do a pretty good job of backing up all my apps. Only thing I really lose is the data from the apps.
All in all I don't root anymore due to the best abilities of the phones coming with everything I have wanted. Sure, I could customize a slight bit more with a rooted phone, but the downsides of rooting - being a flashaholic, worrying about tripping hardware mines, bad ROMs, bootloop, etc. - are enough to make me stay away now. I get everything I want from the Samsung phone the way it is now.
I can't believe I just wrote that! I have been rooting for years now. What is wrong with me!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, thanks for this. Unfortunately adhell doesn't support our S8/+ just yet. Maybe you guys are right, there is not enough reason to root, thanks for the suggestion guys.
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annson08 said:
Haha, thanks for this. Unfortunately adhell doesn't support our S8/+ just yet. Maybe you guys are right, there is not enough reason to root, thanks for the suggestion guys.
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
True. Did you take advantage of the Disconnect offer when it was free? It works great on the S8. Blocks all ads for me.

Nevermind, apparently the one we can download from galaxy apps is outdated, just updated adhell from playstore and now I can activate it. Haven't tested it yet tho.
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I have been rooting for years. Now the only reason I would do that is Beats Audio. Much, much better than V4A

LudoGris said:
Root Explorer - The My Files App isn't that bad. Only thing you really miss is the ability to edit root folders, which what do you need that for?
Adblock - AdHell on Samsung Galaxy Store. Uses Knox to block all ads on your phone. No need for rooting for this anymore.
V4A - can't help you here
Titanium Backup - Samsung and Google do a pretty good job of backing up all my apps. Only thing I really lose is the data from the apps.
All in all I don't root anymore due to the best abilities of the phones coming with everything I have wanted. Sure, I could customize a slight bit more with a rooted phone, but the downsides of rooting - being a flashaholic, worrying about tripping hardware mines, bad ROMs, bootloop, etc. - are enough to make me stay away now. I get everything I want from the Samsung phone the way it is now.
I can't believe I just wrote that! I have been rooting for years now. What is wrong with me!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This posts was what i've been looking for...I haven't pulled the trigger on the S8 because i'm still debating to get snapdragon or go international with exynos. My main concerns for root were adblock, titanium backup, and the lack of ability to do a nandroid backup. I've been searching for good alternatives

im under the same dilemma of whether to root or not, i have rooted all my previous phones from the s2,3,4,5,6 and the s7 edge. Now im actually considering not rooting this phone. The main things i used to root the phone for were
1) adblock - but as mentioned im going to try adhell when i get the phone
2) Titanium backup - Havent found a great alternative for this however a few people have recommend Helium
3) GameGuardian - Cant help but hack pvz2 and others when they keep asking you for money for gems/coins
4) Xposed - a)Currently using a mod for the AOD on the s7 edge which lets me set custom pictures on the phone which is amazing,
b) XtouchWiz to auto expand my audio group when pressing the volume button, havent found a replacement for this either.
But rooting would cost me the Iris scanner(need this thanks to the horrible position of the fingerprint sensor) and samsung pay(not that big a deal) and of course warranty.

custom font
annson08 said:
Haha, thanks for this. Unfortunately adhell doesn't support our S8/+ just yet. Maybe you guys are right, there is not enough reason to root, thanks for the suggestion guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would say if you don't have to "don't root." My main reason for rooting is to get my mother language (font) on my galaxy which usually is only done by root + ifont.

I've come from a rooted Nexus 6P. I still use Power Toggles because it allows one touch location switching. I also use Lux and Llama for automation. Anyone know of good alternatives without root?

dahray02 said:
This posts was what i've been looking for...I haven't pulled the trigger on the S8 because i'm still debating to get snapdragon or go international with exynos. My main concerns for root were adblock, titanium backup, and the lack of ability to do a nandroid backup. I've been searching for good alternatives
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad I could be of help!
silentwitness1 said:
im under the same dilemma of whether to root or not, i have rooted all my previous phones from the s2,3,4,5,6 and the s7 edge. Now im actually considering not rooting this phone. The main things i used to root the phone for were
1) adblock - but as mentioned im going to try adhell when i get the phone
2) Titanium backup - Havent found a great alternative for this however a few people have recommend Helium
3) GameGuardian - Cant help but hack pvz2 and others when they keep asking you for money for gems/coins
4) Xposed - a)Currently using a mod for the AOD on the s7 edge which lets me set custom pictures on the phone which is amazing,
b) XtouchWiz to auto expand my audio group when pressing the volume button, havent found a replacement for this either.
But rooting would cost me the Iris scanner(need this thanks to the horrible position of the fingerprint sensor) and samsung pay(not that big a deal) and of course warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can now set a picture of your choice on AOD - but if you mean behind the clock, that is not yet possible. Though still nice to be able to use your own photos.
Also, the volume rocker now at least lets you choose whether it controls the ringtone or media by default. I changed mine to media as I set the ringer to a specific volume and normally leave it that way, but media I change all the time.

LudoGris said:
Glad I could be of help!
You can now set a picture of your choice on AOD - but if you mean behind the clock, that is not yet possible. Though still nice to be able to use your own photos.
Also, the volume rocker now at least lets you choose whether it controls the ringtone or media by default. I changed mine to media as I set the ringer to a specific volume and normally leave it that way, but media I change all the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes but nothing like what i have right now. Currently I have a folder with images and it changes the image automatically every 1 hour. Also all notifications that come in scroll on the bottom of the screen not just a stupid icon of whatsapp.

Please download adhell from Google Play.
Samsung store version is not updated yet
---------- Post added at 09:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:27 PM ----------
annson08 said:
Haha, thanks for this. Unfortunately adhell doesn't support our S8/+ just yet. Maybe you guys are right, there is not enough reason to root, thanks for the suggestion guys.
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Click to collapse
Adhell does support Nougat.
download it from Google Play
Samsung store version is not updated yet

raiym said:
Please download adhell from Google Play.
Samsung store version is not updated yet
---------- Post added at 09:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:27 PM ----------
Adhell does support Nougat.
download it from Google Play
Samsung store version is not updated yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, just did and it worked. Thanks.
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To root or not to root

Hi All
I will be receiving my OnePlus 6T (in thunder purple) this week and wanted to know if there is any benefit to rooting anymore, having read posts about widevine L1-L3 etc
I'd like to install the notification mod, speaker mod and the google camera app, (or anything else that is recommended) however i'm not sure if i can do these without root
I like to tinker with my phones and im pretty clued up with this sort of thing, ive just been out of the scene for a couple of years!
Looking forward to peoples views and comments.
Thanks all

I root just for the speaker mod alone. :good:
GCam doesn't require root.

tengtengvn said:
I root just for the speaker mod alone. :good:
GCam doesn't require root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, how big is the widevine issue once unlocked and rooted?

I use to root, but haven't in the last 3-4 years. The Huawei Mate phones I've used, really didn't need it. Pretty clean, and nothing I really needed to root anyway. Plus, unless you tweak them, I wouldn't be able to use Google pay.

Well, I was happy without root since the Note 5 but since Google is eager to slowly kill off various important apps that used to work without root on Oreo then I was forced to root this 6T since it's running on Pie. I think it's worth it now. I have call recording natively baked into the phone app, I can use Swift once more and I forgot how useful Titanium Backup is. I'm getting ready to try the speaker mod, as well.

Speaker mod seems useless. I root for adblocking without VPN (AdAway), root firewall (AFWall), and themes (Substratum).

I was a crack-flasher from way back and I don't find the need to unlock/root. I'd like Adaway but DNS66 pulls some of it's host files from Adaway.

I stopped rooting about a year or 2 ago with the note 4 and had no plans on it for the 6t but viper4android works perfectly so I rooted just for that. I have adguard for adblocker. As time goes on I might add some modules from magisk but as for now it's great. Titanium back up is always super useful as well.
MarylandCookie said:
Hi All
I will be receiving my OnePlus 6T (in thunder purple) this week and wanted to know if there is any benefit to rooting anymore, having read posts about widevine L1-L3 etc
I'd like to install the notification mod, speaker mod and the google camera app, (or anything else that is recommended) however i'm not sure if i can do these without root
I like to tinker with my phones and im pretty clued up with this sort of thing, ive just been out of the scene for a couple of years!
Looking forward to peoples views and comments.
Thanks all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks guys,
Some mixed feelings there. I’m guessing the speaker mod is not worth the hassle and the ad blocking can be achieved without root (looking at you blokada)
Not read up much on sunstratum, that’ll be my next to do...
Hmmm... decisions, decisions as I don’t want to decide to root 6 months down the line and find out I have to format my device (unlock bootloader)

MarylandCookie said:
Thanks guys,
Some mixed feelings there. I’m guessing the speaker mod is not worth the hassle and the ad blocking can be achieved without root (looking at you blokada)
Not read up much on sunstratum, that’ll be my next to do...
Hmmm... decisions, decisions as I don’t want to decide to root 6 months down the line and find out I have to format my device (unlock bootloader)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally love my 6t being rooted... I use adaway with Magisk v 18 which now has a Systemless host support in its (magisk)settings for ad blocking.. Substratum engine also works in magisk v 18 mod section. Swift black substratum theme works flawlessly.
Ex Kernel manager is great too.
I'm running ElementalX kernel 3.0.9. which is very smooth.
I updated to OOS 9.0.7. using TWRP fajita 3.2.3-8.
I have the stereo speaker mod also. It's not that impressive, but ok.
Well that's my 2 cents. personally I love this phone so much more now that it's rooted..
Hope this helps your decision.

So is the Widevine such a big issue with root?

MarylandCookie said:
So is the Widevine such a big issue with root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you watch netflix or something else that is using Widevine then yes! this is a big issue. You can always experiment with root and check it yourself. If you will not be happy with root you can always unroot + lock bootloader so all will return to normal.

meciu99 said:
If you watch netflix or something else that is using Widevine then yes! this is a big issue. You can always experiment with root and check it yourself. If you will not be happy with root you can always unroot + lock bootloader so all will return to normal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will I still be able to use my banking app? Also is there a site that lists what is reliant on widevine?

MarylandCookie said:
Thanks guys,
Some mixed feelings there. I’m guessing the speaker mod is not worth the hassle and the ad blocking can be achieved without root (looking at you blokada)
Not read up much on sunstratum, that’ll be my next to do...
Hmmm... decisions, decisions as I don’t want to decide to root 6 months down the line and find out I have to format my device (unlock bootloader)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not a hassle at all. So easy on this phone.
Speaker mod is great. I love it.

MarylandCookie said:
Thanks guys,
Some mixed feelings there. I’m guessing the speaker mod is not worth the hassle and the ad blocking can be achieved without root (looking at you blokada)
Not read up much on sunstratum, that’ll be my next to do...
Hmmm... decisions, decisions as I don’t want to decide to root 6 months down the line and find out I have to format my device (unlock bootloader)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlock the BL and install Magisk.
No real hassle. You can take update locally and reroot.
The very first thing out of the box for my device was unlock the BL and root.

MarylandCookie said:
So is the Widevine such a big issue with root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Widevine is not directly related to root but with unlocked bootloader.
No issue with magisk and banking apps except a few that I don't remember of. Google pay works well

sounds like someone reading my threads...there's nothing here that wasn't mentioned in countless other threads. Weigh the pros and cons and make a decision...first time I've gone rootless in years.

OK.. got my handset.. its a beauty
1st thing i have done is Unlocked the bootloader.. so simple!
Will install magisk over the weekend and set phone up properly then. Have other family priorites that have come up to deal with at the moment.
Thanks all. Need to start reading, dont want to flash wrong recovery.

MarylandCookie said:
the ad blocking can be achieved without root (looking at you blokada)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For apps like Blokada, it's always running in the background and uses a VPN. If you use an actual VPN, this means you can't use Blokada while your VPN is running. AdAway just edits the host file. No app running in background, no VPN.

MarylandCookie said:
Will I still be able to use my banking app? Also is there a site that lists what is reliant on widevine?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm rooted and use BB&T banking app and Google pay +PayPal..