Blocking Ads Without Root? Will ZTE Ever Step Up? - ZTE Axon 7 Questions & Answers

Long story short I haven't unlocked my bootloader to root my phone yet, since ZTE are offering virtually zero support and haven't even supplied a factory image (WTF!), so I don't have a properly working method to block ads.
This makes YouTube absolutely worthless to me, I'm not going to watch a 30 second ad about something I probably hate with a fiery passion in order to watch a 2 minute video. Just simply browsing the web has become painful and indescribably annoying.
So is there any (actually effective) method out there which I can use to block the cancer of the internet known as advertisements without having root? Will ZTE ever do what every other company does and offer some bare minimum support for the community? If I knew ZTE were going to be this horrible about support I wouldn't have even bought the phone to begin with.

Cyrus D. said:
Long story short I haven't unlocked my bootloader to root my phone yet, since ZTE are offering virtually zero support and haven't even supplied a factory image (WTF!), so I don't have a properly working method to block ads.
This makes YouTube absolutely worthless to me, I'm not going to watch a 30 second ad about something I probably hate with a fiery passion in order to watch a 2 minute video. Just simply browsing the web has become painful and indescribably annoying.
So is there any (actually effective) method out there which I can use to block the cancer of the internet known as advertisements without having root? Will ZTE ever do what every other company does and offer some bare minimum support for the community? If I knew ZTE were going to be this horrible about support I wouldn't have even bought the phone to begin with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Adguard, works like a charm

Gachmuret said:
Try Adguard, works like a charm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And it won't steal my info????

Cyrus D. said:
Long story short I haven't unlocked my bootloader to root my phone yet, since ZTE are offering virtually zero support and haven't even supplied a factory image (WTF!), so I don't have a properly working method to block ads.
This makes YouTube absolutely worthless to me, I'm not going to watch a 30 second ad about something I probably hate with a fiery passion in order to watch a 2 minute video. Just simply browsing the web has become painful and indescribably annoying.
So is there any (actually effective) method out there which I can use to block the cancer of the internet known as advertisements without having root? Will ZTE ever do what every other company does and offer some bare minimum support for the community? If I knew ZTE were going to be this horrible about support I wouldn't have even bought the phone to begin with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had my Axon 7 rooted and xposed working perfectly WAYYYYYYY before I unlocked it. And I am willing to bet that if you look in the rest of this wonderful XDA section you will find a posting or two about root without bootloader unlock, and the first step is making a backup so if something does go wrong you can use your backup!

Gachmuret said:
Try Adguard, works like a charm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's paid only in order to block ads in apps and it's not even a one time purchase, it's an annual license. I won't purchase licenses which expire for Android apps. For now I have the free version installed, but the fact that it gives a warning stating that it's reported battery or data usage will be false (other application's stats will supposedly be recorded as AdGuard's) makes it suspicious to even begin with.
tabletalker7 said:
I had my Axon 7 rooted and xposed working perfectly WAYYYYYYY before I unlocked it. And I am willing to bet that if you look in the rest of this wonderful XDA section you will find a posting or two about root without bootloader unlock, and the first step is making a backup so if something does go wrong you can use your backup!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The last time I checked on rooting without unlocking it was super convoluted and there were reports of people left and right bricking things.
- What do I even backup with and can it even be done fully without having root in the first place?
- Can it use ZTE's OTA updates without bricking if that's done?
- Is it actually a full proper root?

Cyrus D. said:
It's paid only in order to block ads in apps and it's not even a one time purchase, it's an annual license. I won't purchase licenses which expire for Android apps. For now I have the free version installed, but the fact that it gives a warning stating that it's reported battery or data usage will be false (other application's stats will supposedly be recorded as AdGuard's) makes it suspicious to even begin with.
The last time I checked on rooting without unlocking it was super convoluted and there were reports of people left and right bricking things.
- What do I even backup with and can it even be done fully without having root in the first place?
- Can it use ZTE's OTA updates without bricking if that's done?
- Is it actually a full proper root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked for me. On the forum for Axon 7 root without unlock the first thing you do is make a backup of the boot and recovery. You can flash those with the same program used to root it and install TWRP. After that we also have a forum here with full stock roms that you can flash with TWRP just to unbrick and they work.

I live in Spain, have a Play Music subscription (YouTube RED isn't available here... *sigh*) and have installed AdGuard two days ago to get rid of those stupid, stupid commercials, but it seriously messed up my battery info.
I would reach around 20% battery and the phone would just turn off. Completely drained. Kaput. Happened twice with full charge with original charger and cable (I thought my Moto X's QC2 had broken something, but it's the app after all).
I have it set up on manual mode now, so that I can activate it outside home and avoid YouTube's commercials and consequent date plan limit (even if I'm a paying customer! Dang it Google!!!).

The non-Play Store versions of Lightning Browser (free) have built-in adblock. You can get it from the developer's github or from F-Droid. It also has a dark theme that's perfect for AMOLED screens like the Axon 7's.

*** Thread Cleaned ***
Let's keep the comments respectful, and on-topic. If you think a comment falls outside of XDA Rules, simply hit the REPORT icon.

Cyrus D. said:
Long story short I haven't unlocked my bootloader to root my phone yet, since ZTE are offering virtually zero support and haven't even supplied a factory image (WTF!), so I don't have a properly working method to block ads.
This makes YouTube absolutely worthless to me, I'm not going to watch a 30 second ad about something I probably hate with a fiery passion in order to watch a 2 minute video. Just simply browsing the web has become painful and indescribably annoying.
So is there any (actually effective) method out there which I can use to block the cancer of the internet known as advertisements without having root? Will ZTE ever do what every other company does and offer some bare minimum support for the community? If I knew ZTE were going to be this horrible about support I wouldn't have even bought the phone to begin with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really cannot fathom why you're equating "ZTE stepping up" with "root". Because AFAIK, no OEM actively supports rooting their phones.
So what it comes down to is your unwillingness to root your phone using the proven method available here on XDA. It sounds like you're afraid for some reason, which I don't understand because it's virtually impossible to hard brick your phone at this point, assuming you can follow simple instructions.
AdAway works just fine on my A2017U running B27 and was the single biggest reason I rooted my phone in the first place. My bootloader is still locked, as well.

rczrider said:
I really cannot fathom why you're equating "ZTE stepping up" with "root". Because AFAIK, no OEM actively supports rooting their phones.
So what it comes down to is your unwillingness to root your phone using the proven method available here on XDA. It sounds like you're afraid for some reason, which I don't understand because it's virtually impossible to hard brick your phone at this point, assuming you can follow simple instructions.
AdAway works just fine on my A2017U running B27 and was the single biggest reason I rooted my phone in the first place. My bootloader is still locked, as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gotta ask, adaway fails with my axon, I figured it was since we have the systemless root, how did you get it to work?

It's not ZTE's job to block ads for you. Most vendor-specific flavors of android don't offer built-in ad blocking. If you want to complain to anyone, complain to Google for not allowing extensions in Chrome. They're lagging behind IOS there.
Use adguard like others have suggested, or root your phone if you want deeper ad blocking.

Ruttix said:
Gotta ask, adaway fails with my axon, I figured it was since we have the systemless root, how did you get it to work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Adaway works with systemless root.
If you turn off /system write protection, you can use adaway fine, but it modifies /system.
If you want to do it without modifying system, you'll probably need to use magisk.

I don't know how it's mistaken for anything else but I guess I have to clarify. By ZTE steping up, I didn't mean that they should provide us with direct root or adblock or anything like that. I meant they should have offered the basics everyone does, like a freakin' factory image and clear info so those who brick their phones can figure out how to fix it without praying someone on some forums can save them.
As for no company supporting root, even if they don't directly state it, that's pretty much OnePlus's thing, the direct competitor to ZTE right now.

Ruttix said:
Gotta ask, adaway fails with my axon, I figured it was since we have the systemless root, how did you get it to work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Type this in terminal:
Code:
reboot disemmcwp

AdGuard lifetime license is cheap. Especially because you can switch currencies when you add it to your cart, and then switch it back to your currency when you enter your credit card. I got 3 lifetime licenses for like 8 bucks apiece just last week.
I got a refund, though, because I had too many questions that it didn't answer. I think it's a legit product but I've gotten used to NetGuard's logging functions whereas AdGuard is kinda "set it and forget it" but their advanced functions feel clunky.

Cyrus D. said:
It's paid only in order to block ads in apps and it's not even a one time purchase, it's an annual license. I won't purchase licenses which expire for Android apps. For now I have the free version installed, but the fact that it gives a warning stating that it's reported battery or data usage will be false (other application's stats will supposedly be recorded as AdGuard's) makes it suspicious to even begin with.
root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are wrong,
There's life time subscription.
I've bought 4 licenses for using it at 2 Windows and 2 android device.
No impact on battery life over 6 months I'm using on 2 smartphone and 2 windows(surface pro 4 and thinkpad 8)
I'm also using at my iPad as free safari extension and battery life is once again rock solid.
And is doing very very good job indeed blocking not only ads but other on line threads too.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

paatha13 said:
You are wrong,
There's life time subscription.
I've bought 4 licenses for using it at 2 Windows and 2 android device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was only one purchase link, and it took me to a page which was offering annual licenses. That's it.

I don't understand why this thread is still going strong.
It's virtually impossible to brick your phone (the U variant, anyway) just by rooting.
AdGuard sucks, rooting is easy, and AdAway is free.

rczrider said:
I don't understand why this thread is still going strong.
It's virtually impossible to brick your phone (the U variant, anyway) just by rooting.
AdGuard sucks, rooting is easy, and AdAway is free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@rczrider: I want to do what you have described, i.e. root to get AdAway installed. I understand about rooting, but what OTAs from ZTA? Do they still work without problem or does one have to unroot (and perhaps even undo AdAway) first?
I know that that info exists somewhere in the the thread about rooting, but that is now very long and that info is not easy to find.
Thanks

Related

Can't decide if I should root my atrix or not

Hi there,
I am debating if I should root my Atrix or not. I checked out few posts and they seem a bit complecated. Also, I found this article saying carriers will track down rooted devices and restricted services.
By the way, can I still install some of Motorola o/s for dock stations? I have a multimedia and a car dock.
http://www.mydroidworld.com/forums/...rooting-manufacturers-carriers.html#post65013
Any thoughts?
No one will track you down and restrict you. And it's very safe to root.
Just for apps like Adfree which kills advertisements, this is reason enough for me to root! Not to mention super helpful things like customer recovery to back things up, the ability to sideload (install non-market apps if you're on AT&T), etc.
Android is quite open source but rooting opens up another amazing realm of extremely essential apps.
bongd said:
No one will track you down and restrict you. And it's very safe to root.
Just for apps like Adfree which kills advertisements, this is reason enough for me to root! Not to mention super helpful things like customer recovery to back things up, the ability to sideload (install non-market apps if you're on AT&T), etc.
Android is quite open source but rooting opens up another amazing realm of extremely essential apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will take your word for it then! Just kidding. Would you be able recommend any good root techniques on the forum? I think there are few methods and am not sure which one is the best.
Thank you!
I say root it. I rooted mine and i love it this way. I had mine for only two days before I rooted it. I was a little nervous at first and felt that i really didnt want to do it, but the benefits were too great with a rooted phone than without a rooted phone. I am on the AT&T network and i hate it when someone tries to tell me what I can't do with something I purchased. Trust me when i say that you are going to want software that is not in the market as well.
And... I really, really love the fact that I don't need to be docked to use my WebTop.
Again... i say root it.
janggu said:
I will take your word for it then! Just kidding. Would you be able recommend any good root techniques on the forum? I think there are few methods and am not sure which one is the best.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gladroot. It's the easiest and can enable tethering and sideloading as well.
You must be on 1.2.6 to root. You can run their first script which will root it. You can then do AT&T's download and run their second script which will root that too. BOOM!
It shouldn't take any longer than 10 minutes.
Well... there was that one thing where AT&T is supposedly locking out, or might be locking out phones that have been determined to be rooted. But the fact of the matter is, if they do that with absolutely no reason other than the phone being rooted, i'm sure you'll see a class action lawsuit about it since rooting/jailbreaking a cell phone is legal now according to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The only reason i can see them disabling service is if you root it, and use one of the alternate methods of tethering, and wind up using a TON of bandwidth.... well over what anyone would even remotely do on just the phone if they didn't have any tethering package or way to tether. Then you'd basically be using their networks in a way that could be deemed illegal. But there's no issue with just rooting it to use applications not approved by the carrier or phone manufacturer.
Would you want to be admin on your own computer?
I think rooting is a must. The use of sideloading alone is worth it. I would hate to not be able to use the Amazon Appstore, Ive really come to like it.
One thing to mention though. The Blockbuster app detects root and wont allow content to be purchased because of DRM concerns. I dont know if this will be a problem with future apps.
Yeah, I did!
I rooted my Atrix with "gladroot" last night. Can't wait to customize it now.
Thank you very much for your valid inputs everyone!!!
Where are these non market apps that everyone speaks of
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
JohnnyDanger said:
One thing to mention though. The Blockbuster app detects root....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's Blockbuster? ;-)
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
I know right. I was just using that as an example. Never know what might be blocked next.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App

The benefits of rooting?

I know some people will wonder why I'm asking but this would be the first time I'm thinking of rooting and I wouldn't mind getting an idea of what it allows me to do with the phone. Thanks!
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium HD app
This is the development thread ask it in q & a thread.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Pros:
"Free" Wifi Tethering (Allows you to use phone as a Hotspot for internet)
Delete Carrier Bloatware
Eliminate Banner Ads
Backup Everything on Your Phone
Make Your Phone Run Faster (By overclocking CPU etc)
Increase Your Battery Life (By installing custom and/or underclocking CPU)
Run Any App You Like
Move/Run Apps for SD-Card (with apps like Foldermount)
Cons:
Voids Your Warranty
Overclocking Can Cause Damage
Some apps wont work with root (EG: Banking apps, Sky Go etc)
Easy to Brick your Phone (If not done correctly)
Will Make Your Phone Less Stable (If not done correctly)
Rooting Could Become Illegal
May Prevent You from Getting Updates
There all loads more reason but these are the main ones.
Titanium Pro backup All the reason I need to root
crimptool said:
Titanium Pro backup All the reason I need to root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Zultrax-UK said:
Pros:
"Free" Wifi Tethering (Allows you to use phone as a Hotspot for internet)
Delete Carrier Bloatware
Eliminate Banner Ads
Backup Everything on Your Phone
Make Your Phone Run Faster (By overclocking CPU etc)
Increase Your Battery Life (By installing custom and/or underclocking CPU)
Run Any App You Like
Move/Run Apps for SD-Card (with apps like Foldermount)
Cons:
Voids Your Warranty
Overclocking Can Cause Damage
Some apps wont work with root (EG: Banking apps, Sky Go etc)
Easy to Brick your Phone (If not done correctly)
Will Make Your Phone Less Stable (If not done correctly)
Rooting Could Become Illegal
May Prevent You from Getting Updates
There all loads more reason but these are the main ones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a very good list. I would just add one more PRO: rooting lets you buy a new phone more often (because you brick your old ones more often)
Seriously, one of the main reasons to root for me personally is to get rid of the banner ads for phones I prepare for older people who are prone to clicking on the banners and installing spam as the result.
Basically rooting is for people who like tinkering with their hardware.
OP, since you asked the question, I assume you have not rooted before, you should read up more about this, and maybe wait a few more days, to make sure rooting methods are stable, and you are fully familiar with the procedure. Believe me you do not want your phone accidentally bricked.
If you want some of the benefits of rooting such as the blocking banner ads you can unroot after changing the hosts file.
ill hold on rooting for now due to the cons. I dont want to break my first Droid :silly:
agree, and right now there is no full rooting toolkit for the s4 so I'll probably wait as well
Zymesh said:
ill hold on rooting for now due to the cons. I dont want to break my first Droid :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i personally plan to wait 4-6 months before rooting... i can download stuff straight to my phone now cause of my huge sd card whereas before i would need to tether to my pc... also 9 gigs is enough for all the apps i run... i tend to be more minimalistic when it comes to downloading games etc...
so, for now i'll be fine without rooting just in case something goes wrong with it & i need to use the manufacturers warranty.
kreoXDA said:
This is a very good list. I would just add one more PRO: rooting lets you buy a new phone more often (because you brick your old ones more often)
Seriously, one of the main reasons to root for me personally is to get rid of the banner ads for phones I prepare for older people who are prone to clicking on the banners and installing spam as the result.
Basically rooting is for people who like tinkering with their hardware.
OP, since you asked the question, I assume you have not rooted before, you should read up more about this, and maybe wait a few more days, to make sure rooting methods are stable, and you are fully familiar with the procedure. Believe me you do not want your phone accidentally bricked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha...nice words.
AventEx said:
agree, and right now there is no full rooting toolkit for the s4 so I'll probably wait as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I an waiting for tool kit because I'm not confident enough to do it with the current methods
How long before we can expect tool kits?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 04:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:12 PM ----------
I feel as though unless your experienced the current root methods are not noob friendly at all
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
crimptool said:
Titanium Pro backup All the reason I need to root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah me too. But as far as i can say, I have old Galaxy S rooted, my banking apps work fine. Dont know which banking app does that root check. Remind me not to open an account, apply for credit card, take loans from that bank! :silly:
Apps no longer able to enable/disable the cellular radio without root
Rooting S4 (and all others phones) with JB 4.2.x IMHO is absolutely necessary as Google has removed the possibility for profile-manager apps to control the ON/OFF state of the cellular radio.
Unfortunately many serious users relying on time or location based profile switch are now out of luck!
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=40497
It is not easy to brick your phone. You have to not pay attention, not follow directions, and use no common sense to get there. By that last I mean you should avoid unproven root methods unless you are willing to take the risks involved that such trail blazers face.
I'm not saying that rooting is right for anyone but those with a functional brain and the ability to read and follow simple directions should have a problem free experience. A couple basics, read the directions, all of them. Make absolutely sure that this procedure is the correct procedure for your specific handset. Do not be brave, it's no fun looking at a phone that won't boot when you lack the experience to deal with it so stick with what's proven. If you are not sure after reading up on the procedure, ask. No one wants to spoon feed the lazy but learning means asking questions sometimes so having read the material do not hesitate to ask if a part of the process is unclear.

A huge security flaw has left 600 million Samsung smartphones at risk of hacking!

Unreal,
Read it here........
http://www.businessinsider.com/unpa...ung-smartphones-risk-hacking-nowsecure-2015-6
CC
cc999 said:
Unreal,
Read it here........
http://www.businessinsider.com/unpa...ung-smartphones-risk-hacking-nowsecure-2015-6
CC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I understand it has to be done on an unsecured network and has to be at the exact same time as you update the app. Making it next to impossible as a hacker would have to know your updating habits!
Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk
Even with 600 million devices at risk, the chances that this exploit could ever be used is minimal because as mentioned above it required someone to do some pretty unlikely things on a network with a hacker
You guys act like you all work for some intelligence companies and hackers would give a **** to steal your data.
Sent from my SM-G920T
Totally overblown and already being discussed in the S6 Edge forum (link). Here are the most pertinent posts:
tanjiajun_34 said:
I believe it should be easy to fix. I cannot try because I have have Swiftkey preinstalled but I believe these are the methods you can try...
1. Update the Swiftkey to the one on Play Store.
2. Disable the Swiftkey application. I believe all non Samsung system applications and some of Samsung's system applications should be able to be disabled. Swiftkey shouldn't be a problem...
3. You are here on xda so chances you will be rooting your phone I assume? If you have root, you can just uninstall it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
droidzer1 said:
Totally overblown vulnerability article today on Swiftkey. Firstly I seriously doubt 600M phones have it. I just checked 8 Samsung phones from various carriers - Sprint, Verizon, US cellular - S3, S4's, S5's, Note 2 and 3's and out of those 8 only one had Swiftkey on it. Easy to uninstall or Freeze if rooted. I take this as a punch back from someone on the Apple fan club finding a minor and hard to exploit vulnerability in android since Apple just got hit big in the last week or so. If you didn't find one of the articles detailing this exploit here's the skinny: It only can be exploited if you are on Wifi and on the same Hotspot or router as a would be hacker. That hacker needs to do some fairly complex stuff to spoof a Swiftkey server and your phone has to be trying to download a language pack update. I'd say there is about a 1 in 600 million chance of that happening
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, this pretty much sums it up in one word:
cc999 said:
Unreal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Galaxy S6 Keyboard Security Fix
Hello all,
So we all know about the security flaw of the Samsung keyboard app that has affected the Galaxy S6, S5, S4 and other devices. Simply installing a third-party keyboard will not fix the problem. You need to completely uninstall it.
Source: http://www.naldotech.com/how-to-fix-galaxy-s6-keyboard-swiftkey-security-issue/
Note: Make sure to have a third-party keyboard installed or you will not be able to use the phone.
1. You need root access and Titanium Backup.
2. Open Titanium and go to Backup/Restore.
Scroll down until you find Samsung Keyboard 4.0 and tap on it.
Make a backup first and then press the uninstall button"".
This isn't the best solution but it will work for all the people who want to sleep well at night without the fear of the flaw.
there is nothing to worry about, don't connect to unsecure networks (but how often do you do that) and don't update the language packs when you are on one (how often do you do that? once during setup!!)
ive always preferred the google keyboard, thank you.
The bug is not in the app called "SwiftKey" that comes preinstalled or the one you might get from the Play Store, but in the stock Samsung keyboard app, which uses an SDK from SwiftKey (here referring to SwiftKey the company, not the aforementioned SwiftKey app) to do its word predictions. The vulnerability can be exploited (as I understand it) as often as this stock keyboard polls for language updates. Not sure how often that is, but it isn't user initiated, so it could happen at any time if the app polls for an update while the user is connected to a network with a malicious user on it. The best protection for the average user (as I understand it) is to simply avoid connecting to networks whose security you aren't absolutely certain of. this is the technical writeup where I got most of my info from, however, they do talk about a "Swift keyboard", which the other reputable sources I've seen (such as this SwiftKey article on the issue) clarify as the stock Samsung keyboard.
okay if I understand you correctly you are saying that the Samsung keyboard was developed using the SDK from swifty and the only way to not be vulnerable to this exploit is to remove the stock samsung keyboard and use a third-party alternative is that correct?
Sent from my SM-G920F
OSI-813 said:
okay if I understand you correctly you are saying that the Samsung keyboard was developed using the SDK from swifty and the only way to not be vulnerable to this exploit is to remove the stock samsung keyboard and use a third-party alternative is that correct?
Sent from my SM-G920F
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are rooted and have the ability to completely remove it, I think that would probably get rid of the issue as well, but I can't say that definitively, and I can't say for sure what side effects that might have. (If someone who knows the internals a bit better would weigh in, I would appreciate some clarification on that point as well.) I know that just switching the default keyboard to a third-party isn't good enough. What I am doing until a fix comes out (which doesn't really differ from my normal behaviors, but that's beside the point) is basically only connecting to the wifi at home, work, and the university I am attending. I also added the update site (skslm.swiftkey.net) to my hosts file (using AdAway), which should block any traffic to the update site from leaving the phone.
OSI-813 said:
okay if I understand you correctly you are saying that the Samsung keyboard was developed using the SDK from swifty and the only way to not be vulnerable to this exploit is to remove the stock samsung keyboard and use a third-party alternative is that correct?
Sent from my SM-G920F
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could just wait a few days, knowing that the risk is very insignificant in the first place:
Update: Samsung reached out to us to announce that it will soon patch the vulnerability through Knox. Read the full statement below:
Samsung takes emerging security threats very seriously. We are aware of the recent issue reported by several media outlets and are committed to providing the latest in mobile security. Samsung Knox has the capability to update the security policy of the phones, over-the-air, to invalidate any potential vulnerabilities caused by this issue. The security policy updates will begin rolling out in a few days. In addition to the security policy update, we are also working with SwiftKey to address potential risks going forward.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source: Phone Arena
They have to initiate the hack the SAME EXACT TIME you update your keyboard app...lol. You've got better chances of being robbed at gun point FYI.
bloodrain954 said:
They have to initiate the hack the SAME EXACT TIME you update your keyboard app...lol. You've got better chances of being robbed at gun point FYI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
False. Anyone with a little programming knowledge and the right tools could easily set up a program to passively take advantage of this exploit. It doesn't require the user to do anything to the keyboard app, the app polls for updates to its language files every so often regardless of anything the user does. And all the attacker has to do is use software that's already out there that lets them write programs to intercept and alter web traffic. Heck, there's a proof of concept by the people at NowSecure that should be pretty easy to turn into a usable hack. An industrious hacker might not even have to be nearby, they could tuck a Rasperry Pi away in the corner of a starbucks and infect some phones that way. Are you at any risk in most situations? Probably not. But I still would make sure your phone doesn't automatically connect to unsecured wi-fi.
dustfinger314 said:
False. Anyone with a little programming knowledge and the right tools could easily set up a program to passively take advantage of this exploit. ....
An industrious hacker might not even have to be nearby, they could tuck a Rasperry Pi away in the corner of a starbucks and infect some phones that way. Are you at any risk in most situations? Probably not. But I still would make sure your phone doesn't automatically connect to unsecured wi-fi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Curious, how often are you on an insecure network? For me, basically pretty much never.
krelvinaz said:
Curious, how often are you on an insecure network? For me, basically pretty much never.
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Haha, also pretty much never.
dustfinger314 said:
False. Anyone with a little programming knowledge and the right tools could easily set up a program to passively take advantage of this exploit. It doesn't require the user to do anything to the keyboard app, the app polls for updates to its language files every so often regardless of anything the user does. And all the attacker has to do is use software that's already out there that lets them write programs to intercept and alter web traffic. Heck, there's a proof of concept by the people at NowSecure that should be pretty easy to turn into a usable hack. An industrious hacker might not even have to be nearby, they could tuck a Rasperry Pi away in the corner of a starbucks and infect some phones that way. Are you at any risk in most situations? Probably not. But I still would make sure your phone doesn't automatically connect to unsecured wi-fi.
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I'm curious, do you buy tinfoil hats in bulk or as needed?
bloodrain954 said:
I'm curious, do you buy tinfoil hats in bulk or as needed?
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I can't tell you that for security reasons.
I think you're more likely to be killed by a cow.
hese security flaws happen all the time and are blown out of proportion by people wanting to scaremonger. Tell me OP how many have been exploited

[BOUNTY]-Kingroot-Without Data Connection- Who's in

I propose we create a Bounty for the Keys to Kingroot without a data connection that is not lost until we manually reboot. . I will start it off with a $100 pledge. Instead of calling it temporary root, I would call it Root On Demand. It some ways it is actually better than permanent root. I don't think we will ever find permanent root for the N900V unless we get a leak from Samsung.
All you have to do is reverse engineer the root that the Kingroot team has already found. It must be a simple process that is really easily adaptable to a wide variety of Android Smart-Phones, Otherwise they would sell the Application for individual use. The only reason I can think of that would make it unprofitable is that once the secret gets out anyone could do it.
We need a scientific investigation to discovers what changes are being made to the phone to attain root. It is possible to use Kingroot without even setting up a email account. If you have the apps you want to run backed up.
I would think the Kinroot root is being stored as a image file in RAM because the ROM is write protected and root is lost with a hard boot.
Root is also lost when a app first ask for root privileges. So it could be that the Kingroot root fix has to be rewritten into RAM as a bundle for each application that is added. Kingroot has to dump the last file to write a new bundle file or maybe it has to remount the system. I have found that Titanium Backup is able to put applications back on Kingroots' Root Authorization list after a factory restore, but Titanium Backup can not install the Kingroot root because the phone need to be rooted with Kingroot to run Titanium Backup. I know it's confusing. Anybody got any clues as to how it works would be appreciated.
I'm probably going to get banned for this but..... shut the edited up dude. I'm tired of your pointless posts
mcdevitt1985 said:
I'm probably going to get banned for this but..... shut the edited up dude. I'm tired of your pointless posts
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Nah...I would never. How about this...
In the words of Captain America: "Language!"
:good:
@doctor-cool the guy posting above me kind of has a point. It is obvious you know little about the rooting industry and methods. There is no such thing as "simply reverse engineer" processes in Android. Also no bounty would be worth it to someone like these guys. Permanent root is worth well over $100K in the private sector to specific industries. As for the reason for the data connection, Kingroot supports 1000's of models of phones and needs a specific process for certain ones, so they check which model phone you have then pull the needed files from their server and attempt root. By keeping everything on their servers they can improve the existing files and add new support when it comes about. The first company that we saw do this Kingo Root explained that it takes GBs of files to support the root method so it is impossible to package it into a reasonable size file.
Another thing to think about...if it was that easy to reverse engineer something, don't you think there would have been all kinds of copies of Chainfire's root methods and SuperSu floating around?
The exploit used was released at blackhat. Those working on the permanent root solution are doing so for sales to the private industries I mentioned. When that money is exhausted maybe some altruistic root developer will release it publicly.
So no one will get you "the keys"
It's all about the money. Why let real developers have any fun when your can make tons of money in the other sectors..... I think I'm going to just sell my Note 4, and go with something that's REALLY developer friendly, a Motorola Nexus 6. It has the BEST support of any phone I've ever seen, plus it's bootloader unlocked!
chevycam94 said:
It's all about the money. Why let real developers have any fun when your can make tons of money in the other sectors..... I think I'm going to just sell my Note 4, and go with something that's REALLY developer friendly, a Motorola Nexus 6. It has the BEST support of any phone I've ever seen, plus it's bootloader unlocked!
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Moto x as well hopefully mine gets delivered at end if this week. No more ever Samsung phone
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
patt2k said:
Moto x as well hopefully mine gets delivered at end if this week. No more ever Samsung phone
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
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Good bye Samsung, 'hello-moto"
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Free mobile app
Don't get me wrong, the Note 4 is sweet. But from a developer standpoint, it's useless. I actually use the S-Pen on a regular basis.
The OP has a good point in that it would be nice not having to contact Chinese servers and waste data each time you had to re-root.

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.
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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.
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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).
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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
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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
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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? >_<
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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