So, I'm new to the Android family and I'm curious about the Super User Account. I have no desire to root and install custom mods, I just want the ability to remove all the bloat ware associated with the phone.
My understanding is that I will need to unlock the boot loader, and then install "something" to create the Super User account.
Tweakin78 said:
So, I'm new to the Android family and I'm curious about the Super User Account. I have no desire to root and install custom mods, I just want the ability to remove all the bloat ware associated with the phone.
My understanding is that I will need to unlock the boot loader, and then install "something" to create the Super User account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In order to remove bloat, your device will need to be rooted.
Depending on your device, you may need to unlock the bootloader. Otherwise, you'll just need to root. Superuser is a root management app which allows you to grant other apps root access (or deny).
IMO the best application to remove bloatware (after rooting your phone) is Link2SD
I use titanium to remove bloatware, it gives you the option to freeze the apps first in case you remove the wrong apps. Once frozen if everything is still ok then it's safe to remove
Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. ~Wernher Von Braun
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions...I'll look into all of them...busy reading all the threads now...whew!!!
Related
Is there a way to install an apk as a system app? I want to 'unroot' a device but still run an app that requires root access. I'm unsure of how this can be done, any advise would be very much appreciated!
Thanks
I know that the Z4 root app has an option for temp root functions which goes back to an unrooted state once you reboot.
My guess is that you can run that, place your apk in the appropriate system folder, install the apk from there & then reboot.
But again I'm not to sure if temp root functions work on our G-Tabs & if it does if it's as simple as I explained. Worth a try I guess.
Again I'm assuming that your not already in a permanent root state. If so then you'll have to unroot completely first & then try what I mentioned above.
Unless someone has an easier method?
convert user apps to system apps
nikt said:
Is there a way to install an apk as a system app? I want to 'unroot' a device but still run an app that requires root access. I'm unsure of how this can be done, any advise would be very much appreciated!
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium Backup Pro (paid version 3.8.1 and higher) has a function that allows one to convert user apps-->system apps (as well as system app-->user app ... though this sometimes causes initial FCs, which generally disappear with reboot).
Not sure if the effect will remain after unrooting.
Just to clear up a bit, not because an app its on /system it will have root access. If you want to run an app that needs root, you need root, thats it. You cant unroot and use the app after that.
So, no you cant do that. Its 2 different things installing an app on /system than having root for an app.
pmcnano said:
Just to clear up a bit, not because an app its on /system it will have root access. If you want to run an app that needs root, you need root, thats it. You cant unroot and use the app after that.
So, no you cant do that. Its 2 different things installing an app on /system than having root for an app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So then how do proprietary apps like Sprint Nascar (as an example) run on an unrooted phone?
Why would Sprint Nascar need root permision?
pmcnano said:
Why would Sprint Nascar need root permision?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It probably doesn't or it might I have no idea. The op never pointed out which apps he wants to use.
However & this is a big however, as I have no idea which apps require root access, one has to assume that any of the preinstalled apps that come on our G-Tabs do in fact need root access, yet they can run on an unrooted device. Again I could be wrong.
That being said, how does one go about determining which apps require root access?
Thanks for the replies guys. The issue is supporting proxy servers on unrooted devices. There are several proxy apps that require root access as well as a kernel that supports proxy. If the proxy app were installed as a system app, would this have enough rights to access the kernel as required? I don't know enough about this but was led to believe this might work if it was running as system. Same for apps that use CIFS, like mount manager. I guess I'll give it a try and see what happens...!
Like I said, being installed on System doesnt have anything to do with having root or not.
Im 95% sure about what I am saying.
edit: I confirmed it..so 100% sure, if the app needs root, you will need root no matter where the app is installed.
Hi guys, I just found that I can install Non-market apps on my non-rooted non-s-off GSM E3D via a third party computer suite(with unkown source checked).
I was surprised as I thought without root I can't install non-market apps & games.
So my question is: Is root absolutely required if I want to side load game & apps I downloaded in my computer? Confused.
Sorry for mentioning Ck'ed app, how do I edit the title then?
sacredabyss said:
Hi guys, I just found that I can install cracked apps on my non-rooted non-s-off GSM E3D via a third party computer suite(with unkown source checked).
I was surprised as I thought without root I can't install non-market apps & games.
So my question is: Is root absolutely required if I want to side load game & apps I downloaded in my computer? Confused.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No discussion of warez allowed on forums. Cracked apps = warez
But to answer your question, root is not necessary to install apps.
私のEVO 3Dから送信される
sacredabyss said:
Hi guys, I just found that I can install Non-market apps on my non-rooted non-s-off GSM E3D via a third party computer suite(with unkown source checked).
I was surprised as I thought without root I can't install non-market apps & games.
So my question is: Is root absolutely required if I want to side load game & apps I downloaded in my computer? Confused.
Sorry for mentioning Ck'ed app, how do I edit the title then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Needless to say you're probably not aware of Amazon's apps, or the spy ware infested apps at some sites. Appbrain is available as an alternative site, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=983859.
So this is the affect of apple's closed app store policy, "guilt by inference".
I thought root was required because I was tring to use titanium backup to restore apps from my HD2 and it pops up saying that I need to have root.
Now I can wait more time for the s-off + root then.
sacredabyss said:
I thought root was required because I was tring to use titanium backup to restore apps from my HD2 and it pops up saying that I need to have root.
Now I can wait more time for the s-off + root then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that is because you need root to backup application data..
OP: With android, you can install any APK you find online.
Android can write to data, while other apps can only write to data for that app only. TB is trying to write other apps data, this is why it fails.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G
I'm aware what rooting is and I'm benefiting from it on daily basis on my GT-I9100. However, what exactly happens during the rooting process? As I understand, (often) custom recovery(for example Clockworkmod recovery) is installed, an application for managing programs which might need root access(for example SuperSU) is installed, su utility for switching to root user is installed, but what else happens? Are there some file permissions changed during the rooting process?
All I know is I had to install supersu from playstore after rooting and then downloaded rom manager to get clockworkmod but idea I got was the rooting itself strips security from phone so that you can gain full access that samsung otherwise blocked. I havent looked in depth to see anything that the root itself installed but hey im a newbie with this sort of stuff
Sent from my GT-P3110 using xda app-developers app
m4rtin86 said:
I'm aware what rooting is and I'm benefiting from it on daily basis on my GT-I9100. However, what exactly happens during the rooting process? As I understand, (often) custom recovery(for example Clockworkmod recovery) is installed, an application for managing programs which might need root access(for example SuperSU) is installed, su utility for switching to root user is installed, but what else happens? Are there some file permissions changed during the rooting process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can install all these great programs from the Play Store that require root, also you have manual access (through file explorer) to your system files like frameworks, stock sounds, built-in apps and more. You can disable the annoying ads in the games, you can backup your app data (like progress in games, so you don't have to start over and over again), you can backup settings, change the system look (icons, sounds etc.) and much more. Otherwise you won't see any interface changes or unlock some hidden options. :laugh: Everything is done through the programs.
^The guy knows what you can do with root, he's asking what the details of the rooting process are.
I don't know either but I think you basically unlock the boot loader, then install SU.
Sent from my LG-P920 using xda app-developers app
LeighR said:
^The guy knows what you can do with root, he's asking what the details of the rooting process are.
I don't know either but I think you basically unlock the boot loader, then install SU.
Sent from my LG-P920 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, sorry, at second reading I understood him. My bad.
italcrwd are
m4rtin86 said:
I'm aware what rooting is and I'm benefiting from it on daily basis on my GT-I9100. However, what exactly happens during the rooting process? As I understand, (often) custom recovery(for example Clockworkmod recovery) is installed, an application for managing programs which might need root access(for example SuperSU) is installed, su utility for switching to root user is installed, but what else happens? Are there some file permissions changed during the rooting process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At a high level the following changes (and a few more I cant think of) are made to the device:
Access to previously read-only areas of memory are changed to read-write
A binary called busybox is pushed to the handset (the location varies depending on rooting method used)
Busybox is a set to linux like tools compiled spercifically for the CPU of the device (usually ARM)
The SuperUser or other 'Gate Keeper' application is installed to allow and monitor access to the busybox binary (this is optional but is normally done by default and is required for most root apps to function.)
In essence, your original post is almost spot on.
Well, hello. I'm most certainly a noob, although I do have experience with developing for android and using Linux on a PC system. I haven't done any rooting/unrooting/custom-firmware-flashing before, however.
I believe this question to be about Android devices in general and so I'm posting it here instead of a device-specific forum.
The short version of my question is:
Is it possible to install a custom firmware on my phone, but prevent apps installed in it from having root access?
The long version:
Having read about how the Android OS works, I understand that each app installed in a system basically has its own user account, and that's how privileges work: The OS simply doesn't allow this specific user/app to access other apps or hardware.
Unless I'm mistaken, rooting a phone makes all apps run under the same user account: root. Which means that all apps have access to every other app and all hardware on the device.
I found many web pages that explained that this is a security risk as malicious code could then use anything at all on the phone. This makes sense of course, that's why most applications on a Linux system don't run as root.
I understand why rooting the device is necessary to install a custom firmware on it, but what I haven't understood is why the device has to stay rooted afterwards. Isn't installing a custom firmware basically replacing the OS on the device? If so, couldn't I replace it with an OS that doesn't run everything as root but instead runs every app as its own user, like unrooted devices do?
I've searched this website and others for information on this but I haven't been able to find something that answers this question.
I found explanations for why unrooting is needed to install a custom firmware, but they didn't include why the resulting system can't be rooted.
I found guides on how to restore the original firmware on a device, which isn't what I'm looking for, although this process is called "unrooting" (the word seems to be misused here, but maybe that's just me).
I also found guides on how to trick certain applications, which won't run on a rooted device, into thinking that the device isn't rooted. However, the reason I'd prefer my device not to be rooted isn't to trick any applications but for security reasons.
What I'd basically like to do, is install custom firmware but, once that's done, ensure that applications I download from the Market or install directly don't have any more privileges than they've been developed to ask for. Is that not possible? I don't understand why not...
Gaining root access to your phone will not give a single app root privileges, for the most part you will use an app called superuser or supersu to allow or deny any app root access. (Sometimes baked into ROM)
But you have no worries, any app that you download from the market will not have root unless you give it
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
demkantor said:
Gaining root access to your phone will not give a single app root privileges, for the most part you will use an app called superuser or supersu to allow or deny any app root access. (Sometimes baked into ROM)
But you have no worries, any app that you download from the market will not have root unless you give it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that so? Thanks. It seems I was wrong at the very beginning of my logical process.
So, if I understand correctly, the lack of security isn't that anything installed has root access, but that it can have root access. Is that right?
Correct, even whatever custom ROM you are running has a built in app for lets say messaging, this will not have root access.
You just bow have the ability to do anything (mostly) to your device, but you don't have to
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Hi Experts,
I have a question about a Samsung A3 2016 (sm-a310f). On this device there are tons of apps installed mainly by the provider without option to uninstall them.
Is there any way to uninstall them without rooting the device?
And if not and I have to root the device how can I unroot it again ?
The device is used also for online banking apps which might not work after the root any longer.
So any help is highly appreciated.
cheers
Sabine
and PS what is the issue with this Knox counter?
It is possible to go into settings then apps (on my note 8). Then disable individual apps. Also in launcher you may need to hide apps you can't disable. If storage space is not the problem then just disable. Uninstalling some apps can cause Carrier up dates to glitch.
I use BkPackage disabler and save a profile. One click and all selected are enabled or disabled.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
There is no way to delete preinstalled apps without ROOT access. You can only freeze or disable them. Look for Magisk (systemless root), it can be easily installed and deleted if needed.
sabine00 said:
Hi Experts,
I have a question about a Samsung A3 2016 (sm-a310f). On this device there are tons of apps installed mainly by the provider without option to uninstall them.
Is there any way to uninstall them without rooting the device?
And if not and I have to root the device how can I unroot it again ?
The device is used also for online banking apps which might not work after the root any longer.
So any help is highly appreciated.
cheers
Sabine
and PS what is the issue with this Knox counter?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can. There's actually an XDA article written on this very topic. It works for most, though, it may not work for all. Give it a shot, and if it doesn't work... root, remove whatever you need to, and unroot. Just use Magisk if you need to go this route. It can unroot itself. Here's the guide.