Since I asked a lot of question on this forum I would like to share the answers with everybody and maybe help them.
NOTE: Please don't post any replys as I want to keep the post clean and room for updates, send me a PM if you have and idea or any fails that I made in this post, if this post helped you don't post hit just the thanks button. Cheers.
Current list of questions with answers(will be updated):
Why would I want to root my phone?
Is rooting worth the trouble?
Is rooting illegal?
Will I have any customer support?
Is it dangerous?
Isn't rooting a complex and difficult process?
Will I still receive operating system updates from my carrier?
Application updates?
What if I want to un-root my phone?
Do I run the risk of bricking my phone?
Could my phone overheat and explode?
Why would I want to root my phone?
Everything in a Linux system is a file, or is treated as a file. Since Android runs on top of Linux, it acts the same way. Most of the files you will need to access or change are available to you without having elevated permissions. "Most" being the key term here. When you want to do things that affect or change the core software of your device -- like updating the version of Android on your phone, or adding a nice piece of software from another device -- you'll have to do it as root. Dream and Magic users have been running Eclair on their phones for a good while now, and it’s because they have rooted their device. Rooting also gives you access to some handy software that you couldn’t use otherwise. Things like a complete system backup or ad blocking software require you to root your device. Don’t root your phone just for the sake of rooting your phone, but if you come across something you feel you could use or would like to have, then consider it. You'll find that the open source community is usually pretty helpful and encouraging new people to do new things is common. And when you get to the point where you can lend a hand to the new folks, pay it forward.
Is rooting worth the trouble?
The answer is a resounding yes. The phone is faster than it has ever been, the battery lasts longer, and have all kinds of new features, including free wireless tethering and notification-bar widgets. Rooting your phone is generally a fairly quick process, though the complexity depends on your specific situation. Once you're rooted your handset, you can begin installing apps (many directly from Android Market) that will take advantage of your handset's new capabilities. Installing custom ROMs (replacement operating systems) built by hackers is a longer, more involved process , and generally involves your wiping all the data from your phone, but even that is worthwhile.
Is rooting illegal?
Nope. You bought the phone, it's your equipment, you own it, and you can do what you want with it. No one is going to come and get you, and your service provider will not cancel your contract. In fact, the U.S. federal government recognized the legality of rooting a phone in July 2010.
What you will do, however, is void the warranty on your device. If you don't want to live without a warranty, rooting isn't for you. Personally, I finally decided to take the plunge when I realized that the potential benefits outweighed the potential consequences. My phone was becoming slow and buggy, with lots of force-closes, and I was just about eligible for an upgrade anyway.
Will I have any customer support?
Rooting can be daunting because there is no toll-free number you can call for help, and no governing body to which you can turn for definitive answers. But the collective process of rooting phones and creating custom ROMs has engendered cool and supportive communities. The user-generated forums out there contain a staggering amount of information; the CyanogenMod forum has offered answers to almost all of my questions, as has the XDA Developers forum, but you can find many more. No matter your question, the forums most likely already have threads that can answer it. If you really can't find anything, you can always start a new thread to ask your question. If you think you've really mucked things up and you need immediate help, many IRC chat channels specialize in support for rooters. (Download an IRC client on your computer and head to irc.freenode.net, where the channels #android and #android-root are particularly helpful.)
Is it dangerous?
It can be, It might, and Yes. By not allowing access to the superuser account, the manufacturer and your carrier have basically protected you from doing things that change the system and make it unusable. All it takes is one wrong keystroke to turn your shiny new Android phone into a plastic and metal brick with no connection. Most times this is recoverable, but not always. You have to decide how capable you feel you are, and how well written the instructions you’ve found seem to be. Nobody will blame you if you decide against the risk, especially your cell carrier. All major carriers and manufacturers plainly state that altering or using unapproved software voids your warranty, and rooting falls into that category. While that seems a bit harsh, they need to be able to support the products they sell. For that to happen, they need to know exactly what’s running and what it’s doing.
Apps that run as root need a little further consideration. You need to have a level of trust in the person who wrote the app first and foremost. Does the developer have other software available? Do the user comments (for Market apps) have anything that raises a red flag? Do the requested permissions seem a little odd? These are all questions you need to think about before you allow something to run as root. For a further level of security, think about installing an application that warns you anytime something tries to run as root. SuperUser Whitelist is a great little app that does exactly that. If you decide to go on and root, ask users with the same device as you for a link to a version of SuperUser Whitelist that works with your firmware. Once installed, anytime something wants to run as root, the app intercepts and asks if you would like to allow it. You’re given the choice to accept, decline, or grant the app in question full privileges each time it runs.
One last thing to touch on here. Many custom ROMs include some sort of SSH server. This can be a wonderful tool, or it can get you in hot water. This is what caused the whole “Rick-Roll” episode with the latest iPhone jailbreak. The server sits and waits for an outside connection, and if that connection provides the right password full control of the device is turned over. In the case of the iPhone, users never bothered to change the default SSH password for root. A clever (or devious) group of users simply scanned for servers listening on the correct port, then attempted to sign in as root with the default password. Lesson learned, but this is easy to prevent. Ask other users of the ROM or firmware you’re thinking of flashing if there is a server listening, and if so how to disable it or change the default password.
Isn't rooting a complex and difficult process?
Yes and no. It really depends on what model of phone you have. On many phones (such as the Nexus One, Motorola Defy, or EVO 4G) the process is incredibly easy: You can download an app such as Simple Root, Universal 1-Click, or Z4root that will safely root your phone with a single click. Those apps are no longer available from the Android Market, but you can find them online with a simple search and install them onto an SD Card.
It is important to note that different approaches will work for different phones. For example, Z4root will work on many Android phones, but it won't work on most HTC models. Some rooting apps will work on an early build of Android 2.2 (Froyo), but will not work on later builds (though more and more apps are being released for that now). Rooting is phone/OS specific, so make sure to check that the root tool you're considering is compatible with your phone. For other models, rooting may take much more work. You might be required to connect the phone to your computer and enter some lines of code in a terminal utility.
Fortunately, more and more root apps do not require you to hook up your computer and get in that deep. Do some research as to what is required for your setup, read some step-by-step guides, and be honest with yourself about how comfortable you would be trying to follow the directions. If it feels like you'd be in over your head, it's probably best to avoid rooting.
Note that generally rooting is even tougher to do if you use a Mac, as most of the software for doing this sort of thing is written for Windows or Linux.
Will I still receive operating system updates from my carrier?
Maybe. More than likely if you’ve just rooted your phone so you could have access to the full file system and haven’t drastically changed things, the phone will still pass your carrier's checks and upgrade. If you’ve delved deeper and really customized your device, count on not being able to upgrade. Carrier updates were designed to work with the original software, so they need to be sure that’s what the phone is running. Again, this is for your own good. T-Mobile or Verizon can’t offer technical support for things they haven’t trained their technicians on, and if you flash a carrier approved update over custom software it’s probably not going to work.
The good news is that failing the checks the carrier does during an update won’t cause any damage to your phone. The update will just quit and you’ll be back where you started. Then you can decide if you would like to un-root and upgrade or take another path. The worst case scenario is that the phone passes the carriers checks, updates, and then things get broken. That’s pretty unlikely, but possible. If that would happen, you won’t be alone. Everyone in your situation will scramble to their favorite Android user forum and hopefully a work around can be found.
Note - a carrier update may also break the ability to root the device and a new method will need to be found. Any discussion of upgrading and root needs this mentioned as well. Most folks who root and decide to install a custom ROM wait for the ROM developer to provide an update that includes any bug fixes or new capabilities of the carrier update.
Application updates?
Yes. While it’s not being used, the program that allows permissions to be upgraded just sits and does nothing. Normal applications won’t even be aware it’s there, and applications that use it expect it to be there. Application updates, whether they are from the Market or other third parties will still install as normal.
What if I want to un-root my phone?
It depends on the model of your phone. Some are ridiculously easy to revert, some not so much. This is the most important question you can ask before you dive in and root your phone. Usually the website you found the method to root your phone will also have a discussion about un-rooting and going back to stock firmware. Take the time to find and read this information so you’re aware of just how difficult it’s going to be to go back. Pay close attention and create backups when recommended while you’re rooting your phone, as these may be needed to go back. I’ve not heard of any device that can’t be restored to factory firmware provided the original was backed up properly as recommended during the rooting process. The most important thing to always remember is to ask for help. If you do find yourself stuck without a backup or a working phone and need to roll back, ask for advice. Our forums are full of fine folks from all walks of life, and the majority are more than happy to help. There’s a good chance you’re not the first person in that situation and a solution has already been worked up!
Do I run the risk of bricking my phone?
This is one of the Internet's favorite bogeymen. "Bricking" is the idea that if you try to tinker with root access, you'll mess something up so it becomes completely unusable, and you'll essentially turn your phone into a paperweight. While that's certainly not outside the realm of possibility, the good news is that Android phones are generally very hard to brick. Yes, even the Droid X, which was purported to be the "unrootable" phone, has been safely rooted for quite some time (Z4root reportedly works with the Droid X).
If you do get caught in a boot loop, you may have to connect your phone to your computer and rewrite some code, but if you are patient and willing to do some more reading, you will almost always be able to find a way to at least restore your phone to its original state (read more on where that help comes from in the next section).
A common mistake that actually will lead to a bricked phone is running out of battery power in the middle of trying to install a custom ROM. The operating system only half installs, and that really is tough to fix. So always make sure that your battery is full before you install a new OS or ROM.
Also, just because a phone is rootable does not mean you can install any custom ROM you want. Differerent ROMs will work for different phones. Even the extremely popular CyanogenMod works for many phones, but certainly not all, so do plenty of research to make sure your phone is supported before trying to install a custom ROM.
Could my phone overheat and explode?
One of the major incentives to root your phone is the ability to overclock your processor to gain more speed (or underclock it to extend battery life). My phone has gotten considerably faster because of overclocking. When you overclock your processor, though, it will get hotter. If you try to push your phone too far and you don't set any fail-safes (a maximum allowable temperature in the overclocking utility), then you could burn out your processor. However, it is very easy to set safety thresholds to ensure that you don't do that.
SetCPU, the most popular app for overclocking or underclocking, allows you to set up various profiles.
Reading the rooting forums will give you plenty of advice on how far you can push your specific device and maintain stability. It pays to do some experimentation: Different phones behave differently, even if they're the same model.
Sources: androidcentral.com, pcworld.com
Useful threads:
[TUTORIAL] Unlocking, rooting, custom roms installing, going back to stock
[INDEX] HTC Desire X (protou) - Everything Desire X is here!
Reserved.
Related
I have always been one to keep my OS and apps up-to-date, even using custom ROMs on my pre-Android, Windows Mobile devices. Right now I have the latest official ROM installed, but would like to apply/install some of the nifty things rooted phones can eg. SetCPU, Titanium Backup, etc. Now here's the newbie/naive question. Why doesn't the Android OS come pre-rooted? If we want to mess around with our phones and potentially turn them into expensive paperweights then that should be our decision. To me, going root seems to be a choice tricky to go to and difficult to return from, and one that disallows future "official" updates. Damned if I do... damned if I don't syndrome. Do the benefits so greatly outnumber the (perceived) risks?
My Hero, and the XDA app, made this post possible.
It doesn't come pre-rooted because of the security breaches that would allow. Think about it...
Get universal androot and you can use most of the programs you mentioned. Really simple. Click root and you have root - click unroot and you have a non rooted phone. Couldn't be simpler. You've been reading those out of date guides again
Even from a Custom ROM it's really easy to return. I don't know where you've got your information from but its incorrect or outdated XD
It's about the money.
Who would upgrade to a new handset when their existing one will receive perpetual updates from the community?
Again, new to Android so security breeches are unknown to me. I fairly regularly modded my WM phone (also HTC) but guess I am wary of the negative responses I read every so often. I am sure though that once I start on this platform there will be no stopping me. Regardless, even something as 'simple' as rooting elicits a number of "oh, I bricked my phone" statements. Mostly, I guess, I am looking for that (maybe not so) gentle push to get me going. Thanks for the responses all the same.
My Hero, and the XDA app, made this post possible.
O no - the security breaches are not android specific! If you have root (administrator) access on ANY system it is a security hazard. If someone somehow got access to the system they would also have full admin rights and therefore the ability to do what they like. It doesn't matter whether its Windows 7, Windows phone, PalmPre, Blackberry, iPhone - the reason phones don't come with root access is because it would make that phone a target for hackers. Also most people (like yourself) clearly don't understand what root access means. AFAIK there have been no major android security breaches - its meant to be one of the most secure platforms but it is at least partly because root access is not allowed by standard that it is so secure. For this reason modding your WM phone is just as risky (if not more) as doing it on Android - just no-one mentions the security aspects of it.
Rant over. Hopefully you understand a little bit more about what you're doing when you get root access now. In order to do so and start tinkering with your system there is a guide here for you: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=645253
btdag said:
It doesn't come pre-rooted because of the security breaches that would allow. Think about it...
Get universal androot and you can use most of the programs you mentioned. Really simple. Click root and you have root - click unroot and you have a non rooted phone. Couldn't be simpler. You've been reading those out of date guides again
Even from a Custom ROM it's really easy to return. I don't know where you've got your information from but its incorrect or outdated XD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What? How? Did I miss this comming out.......oh yes I see it's in the Nexus section which I dont go near cos I have a Hero...however Thanks for the pointer
Oddly enough I did administrate a UNIX network years ago, and not that long ago a Windows 2000 server environment. Stupidly I am now realising the similarities and connections. A light just went on... of course, root. Unix prided itself on security, and a superuser (like I was) is king. "Rooting" (the word) used here just didn't seem the same. But what you are also saying is that the phones can be compromised from external sources, like any network? And/or via malicious software granted root access?
My Hero, and the XDA app, made this post possible.
Android has it's own user account control system in the form of the superuser prompt.
But it's easy to bypass If you're clever, although with universal androot, everyone should be careful what they do on non rooted handsets too.
ok, i have a question, should i root my lg thirve (lg optimus one) just because i want to go from stock froyo to gingerbread made by cyanogen-mod.
thats all i would want, because my phone is not getting the update, and to get gingerbread i would need to root.
so should i do this, what are the dangers of it, i mean will my phone be vulnerable to dangerous things, will it break or mess up in any way?
No dangers, really. But yes, root. If you are interested in overclocking, tweaking, and installing any app that requires root (just search "root" on market and see what goodies come up), you should root, no questions asked. I highly recommend CyanogenMod as there are so many additional and useful features and it is pre-rooted (obviously). If you don't like modding or experimenting, then stick to the stock ROM.
I gotta be honest with you, when I first landed on the Android world I made myself that very same questions over and over again, until one day I said "what the heck!" and done it.
To be truth, isn't that big of a deal, rotting isn't difficult and isn't bad, you just gotta be carefully about what you do because you'r having access to the System folder, so you can really harm your phone, but if you don't mess up with it, you have nothing to worry about.
Some apps need root access because they use the system folder to make changes, so don't simply install any app that request you so, just those that are known and that you need.
So, in conclusion, Root your device, just don't go on the system folder and make changes if you have no idea what you'r doing.
Root is good and healthy to your phone. It gives you more freedom on using your phone. Really, it lets you do a lot more things that you can't do it on an unrooted stock ROM.
Most of us did that before, and it wont harm you phone's health provided that you don't root/unroot too many times in a week (it is similar to what my parents told me when I am still young and innocent)
Rooting process in most cases wont brick your phone unless you are trying to flash a rooted ROM without knowing it.
But anyway, if you want to try something new, you need to take the risk. And don't blame on others when you bricked your own phone. Maybe you can search on youtube videos or websites for those step by step rooting guides for your phone.
feenius danger
Yes.. root its worth it.. Speeds up your device by removing unnecessary crap, can customize the look much more, rather easy to do.. Just follow a guide on here and good luck .
YES!!!!!!!
rooting you phone adds infinitely more possibilities, and makes your phone a lot faster
also, cyanogen-mod is an amazing ROM,
go ahead, give it a try,
JUST REMEMBER BACK UP EVERYTHING BEFORE FLASHING CYANOGEN-MOD
good luck
dosage1 said:
Yes.. root its worth it.. Speeds up your device by removing unnecessary crap, can customize the look much more, rather easy to do.. Just follow a guide on here and good luck .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's right, there a quite a few (a ton!) sites describing the benefits of it:
http://www.androidcentral.com/root
http://www.appsgeyser.com/blog/2012/03/20/should-i-root-my-android-phone/
http://www.androidpit.com/en/android/forum/thread/403299/So-what-exactly-is-rooting-and-is-it-for-me
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/top-10-reasons-to-root-your-android-phone-2/
The only thing I recommend is that you know what you're doing. If thats not the status: In the forums are a lot of posts
Definitely go for it.
The optimus one especially benefits from rooting/applying a new, better rom.
Don't root and unroot your phone too many times.Thats the caution,otherwise as said it gives you more control over your hardware than unrooted phone.
Sent from my LG-P350 using XDA
Gaining full control of your device is a big advantage. In addition to this some really useful apps just run with root.
ricky1001 said:
Don't root and unroot your phone too many times.Thats the caution,otherwise as said it gives you more control over your hardware than unrooted phone.
Sent from my LG-P350 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, if that were true, ROM developers would have long given up and we wouldn't have any of the awesome ROMs floating around out there today. There's absolutely nothing wrong with rooting and unrooting repeatedly, as long you follow the correct procedure every time. Although why anyone would do that stumps me. Either you like your phone rooted, or not.
@singular9:
First off, "upgrade" is a very subjective term. Are you certain the ROM you're looking at will give you significant advantages over the one your phone's running now? While I don't doubt that the people behind the CM ROM for your phone are doing some brilliant work, always assume that something may go wrong. (Unlike Apple, other phone manufacturers source their hardware from all sorts of different places. Two phones, same model may have differently branded components.) If something DOES go wrong, are you prepared to undergo the arduous process that unbricking a phone will involve?
I'd say root your phone if - and ONLY IF:
1. You're a careful person who will read instructions and follow them to the letter, in the order they were set;
2. You're prepared to read up on what "root" is, what the terms used are, and accept that your "upgrade" may not quite offer you the benefits you were looking for (whatever they are, as you didn't specify)
If you're okay with the above, then yeah, I guess I'd say go ahead. My phone's rooted - I love it, and loved every step of the journey I took to root it.
terradune said:
Actually, if that were true, ROM developers would have long given up and we wouldn't have any of the awesome ROMs floating around out there today. There's absolutely nothing wrong with rooting and unrooting repeatedly, as long you follow the correct procedure every time. Although why anyone would do that stumps me. Either you like your phone rooted, or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha, it is a joke dude, don't take it seriously. I don't see any reason for unrooting android unless you are preparing to send the phone back for warranty or get it repaired by its manufacturer and tell them : "ohh, I dunno what happened, it just stop working by it self this morning".
Cheers!
Root is the better way to take totally control of your phone !
Absolutely yes!
Yes U should, but read each instructions carefully before u root ur device.
.
Thread moved to Q&A due to it being a question. Would advise you to read forum rules and post in correct section.
Failure to comply with forum rules will result in an infraction and/or ban depending on severity of rule break.
I unlocked the bootloader from Sony. How can I root it?
stephenyu said:
I unlocked the bootloader from Sony. How can I root it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to flash a custom kernel.
Thankfully, DooMLoRD is awesome and supportive.
Ricky D said:
You need to flash a custom kernel.
Thankfully, DooMLoRD is awesome and supportive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THanks
I flashed it. The tablet cannot power on
stephenyu said:
I flashed it. The tablet cannot power on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone tell me why I am not surprised at all... :/
To be a bit more constructive: It's a real common problem - "root experts" usually use a kind of secret language when talking about root issues and how-to instructions.
A novice doesn't have much of a chance understanding the tech talk emerging, is quite prone to brick his device; see above.
That's why root commonly remains a secret of the experts, does not become a wide-spread everyday method.
And that's a bad thing ! - Why ?
- If more "plain normal" users were able to root their devices the easy way, more "plain normal" users would actually do.
- If more users root their devices, there would be some more positive pressure on manufacturers about helping with these things.
- If more users can root their devices, more users are willing to donate some money to developers.
- More root users build a stronger community, preventing manufacturers like Samsung trying to prohibit rooting at all costs.
Of course I know the disadvantage: Google wouldn't like that too much because more users would be able to block advertizing and forced Google services and bloatware, would be able to avoid idiotic things like that infamous SD write prohibition introduced with Android 4.4.
So Google might try to fight rooting even more.
Understood.
But Google would realize there's a growing need in the community. And if needs of a broad mass of users won't get satisfied, Google would lose a great deal of customers in the long run.
If we remain a tiny group of root supporters, we'll get ignored more and more. And one day, the chances to root will be gone forever: Because the broad community just doesn't do rooting - and manufacturers won't give a sh... on the ever-shrinking group of root lovers.
So a sound balance might do the trick: Slowly introduce the "secrets" of rooting to the community, in a simple way everybody's able to cope with, slowly create a steadily growing community of people which can make themselves heard.
No more "secret language", no more incomprehensible abbreviations - just plain normal step-by-step instructions so just everybody will be able to root. If he wants to.
This wouldn't start an avalanche of users turning their faces to rooting their devices, but could help building up a larger community Google and other manufacturers just cannot afford to ignore.
If rooting stays a secret method for just a fistful of enlighted adepts (and a far larger mass of users just pretending to know what it's all about), manufacturers are going to lock up their devices more and more.
Just think about Samsung; Knox, Region lock, eFuse...
Things will get very, very bad over time.
Just think about it.
Chefproll said:
Someone tell me why I am not surprised at all... :/
To be a bit more constructive: It's a real common problem - "root experts" usually use a kind of secret language when talking about root issues and how-to instructions.
A novice doesn't have much of a chance understanding the tech talk emerging, is quite prone to brick his device; see above.
That's why root commonly remains a secret of the experts, does not become a wide-spread everyday method.
And that's a bad thing ! - Why ?
- If more "plain normal" users were able to root their devices the easy way, more "plain normal" users would actually do.
- If more users root their devices, there would be some more positive pressure on manufacturers about helping with these things.
- If more users can root their devices, more users are willing to donate some money to developers.
- More root users build a stronger community, preventing manufacturers like Samsung trying to prohibit rooting at all costs.
Of course I know the disadvantage: Google wouldn't like that too much because more users would be able to block advertizing and forced Google services and bloatware, would be able to avoid idiotic things like that infamous SD write prohibition introduced with Android 4.4.
So Google might try to fight rooting even more.
Understood.
But Google would realize there's a growing need in the community. And if needs of a broad mass of users won't get satisfied, Google would lose a great deal of customers in the long run.
If we remain a tiny group of root supporters, we'll get ignored more and more. And one day, the chances to root will be gone forever: Because the broad community just doesn't do rooting - and manufacturers won't give a sh... on the ever-shrinking group of root lovers.
So a sound balance might do the trick: Slowly introduce the "secrets" of rooting to the community, in a simple way everybody's able to cope with, slowly create a steadily growing community of people which can make themselves heard.
No more "secret language", no more incomprehensible abbreviations - just plain normal step-by-step instructions so just everybody will be able to root. If he wants to.
This wouldn't start an avalanche of users turning their faces to rooting their devices, but could help building up a larger community Google and other manufacturers just cannot afford to ignore.
If rooting stays a secret method for just a fistful of enlighted adepts (and a far larger mass of users just pretending to know what it's all about), manufacturers are going to lock up their devices more and more.
Just think about Samsung; Knox, Region lock, eFuse...
Things will get very, very bad over time.
Just think about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you misunderstand the situation a little. Google does encourage rooting within the developer community, it is how they ensure a good app developer base. They've made the android SDK easier and more accessible than ever in recent years to support that, not to mention the introduction of Nexus devices was with the sole intention of offering developers a base 'common' software and hardware on which to develop.
There is no secret language, only a vocabulary specific to these processes. Imagine approaching Windows with a absolutlely no idea what it is, how it works in the background and no developer experience. It'd be easy to confuse the registry with a secret book of coded language, approaching android with no android development experience is exactly the same. Windows don't make it easy for the 'common person' to understand because these things are open to tampering and security flaws.
The same goes for android, rooting and unlocking the bootloader. If you're not careful you can get stung (I've 'broke' my Windows system many times by simple stupid things), but if you read up and take some time to understand there is no secret to it.
Er...
First: The rooting of the Z2 tablet is not complicated. It consists of just flashing SuperSU via CWM. Very easy.
A bit more complicated (but not really) is getting CWM on the tablet.
The most complicated part is the unlocking of the bootloader. And this is a Sony thing.
So to say "rooting is complicated" is in fact wrong.
Second: Rooting a device is something that brings certain problems and security dangers. A rooted device must be handled with a certain care and awareness. So it's absolutely ok that only people who are willing to invest a certain amount of brain power and time are able to root.
No one wants more noobs who flood forums with complaints why their rooted phones don't work anymore ore were hacked!
Ricky and Hasenbein: You got me a bit wrong... (But if I write late at night, it might be easy getting me wrong. )
You both know how rooting is done, I know. Unrooted Android devices are just like cars you're not allowed to open the hood or even the trunk; short: unbearable.
I am a former software developer, and a professional technical writer and perception psychologist - maybe this helps you a bit understanding my points of view.
First: I really don't like calling novices "noobs". The term "noob" has a negative connotation, it's a typical four-letter-word, a cuss word. Thus "newbies" are quite reluctant asking for vital information - just because they don't want to be called a noob. So they don't ask - and then brick their devices. Just see this thread as a real-world example.
We all were "noobs" at the beginning.
But we read and read, spent lots of hours with the topic, we tried and failed and sweared till we finally succeeded. Or not.
So we walked quite some miles. Because we had sufficient time and commitment for doing so. And because we already had a bunch of experience with other devices up our sleeves. So we're part of a quite small group of people having the needed background knowledge.
Others don't.
Shouldn't we help them a bit ? If we do, more users could enjoy the benefits of a rooted device - without having to ask "noobish" questions or bricking their devices, forcing them to ask more "noobish" questions - and shining a bad light on rooting: "Rooting is dangerous".
No, it is not. If people exactly know what they have to do, and what to avoid.
So why don't we tell them ? - Using a language everybody can understand.
Result: More root users = less "noobish" questions = less bricked devices = less fear of rooting.
And: More root users = more money donations for developers = more incentives for developers = more and better root applications, faster development.
It's simple.
Ok, we took the long way, we had to gather information without any greater help, we put much effort into this. It's just natural we expect others doing the same: We had to work for it, so they should work for it, too. A plain normal human attitude.
But a bit selfish, don't you agree ?
Some months ago, I bought a Nexus 7 2013, needed a quick way of rooting the device because I left for a longer Asia vacation right the next day, filled with blogging activities. So I really needed a fast solution. I found a kind of all-in-one package, a "Nexus root toolkit" (or similar), don't remember who did it.
Perfect one ! A kind of menu with buttons to click: "Click here for checking device communication", "Click here for installing missing drivers", "Click here for unlocking the bootloader", "Click here to root", "Click here to unroot", "Click here for locking the bootloader again", "Click here if your device does not respond/boot anymore", "Click here to restore factory state".
Step by step, every step explained, every step to be done by just clicking a button. A package for "noobs". And for people needing a fast solution.
And working perfectly: Just everybody would be able to root his device, "noob" or expert.
THIS is the way it should be, a sound way for improving device usage for many, many users. And for showing manufacturers: "Hey, we're no minority anymore, so stop trying to lock us out if you want to sell in the future !" I just think of Samsung; with an ugly feeling in my guts. They're getting worse than Apple. BECAUSE root is just done by a minority they can easily choose to ignore. And it will be getting worse.
Take Sony as an example: Sure they support rooting the Z2 a bit, but they don't support unlocking the Z2's bootloader without losing DRM keys and X-Reality. A BIG turnoff. I just don't want to lose X-Reality because it's one of the very, very few video enhancements which really work.
But if more users were interested in rooting, Sony would be urged to provide a better solution. Not necessary at present: No greater demand - no greater effort.
Because rooting is still too complicated for the masses.
So: Shouldn't we try making all that things a bit more simple ? Like I saw with the "Nexus root toolkit" or whatever it was called ?
If we help others, we help ourselves at the same time: Mutual beneficial.
If we don't, we'll lose more and more of the ancient Android freedom because manufacturers will ignore our needs more and more.
That's why I wish to suggest trying to find some easier ways.
What I could do: I am a writer; I could provide simple explanations and instructions, I could also translate English documents into German.
What about you ?
Chefproll said:
Because rooting is still too complicated for the masses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I repeat: Rooting is nothing that should be "for the masses".
Rooting should remain something for really interested users who really spend time with understanding, maintaining and modifying their devices because only such people can cope to the necessary extent with the special requirements of a rooted device.
In this respect the politics of the manufacturers (enable a root possibility, but make it quite diffcult) is exactly right.
hasenbein1966 said:
I repeat: Rooting is nothing that should be "for the masses".
Rooting should remain something for really interested users who really spend time with understanding, maintaining and modifying their devices because only such people can cope to the necessary extent with the special requirements of a rooted device.
In this respect the politics of the manufacturers (enable a root possibility, but make it quite diffcult) is exactly right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a couple of decades ago, computers were "something for really interested users who really spend time with understanding, maintaining and modifying their devices".
How does it look like today ? I'd been one of the pioneers of that times; you read about me in the news, maybe even saw the (horrible) movie.
But we shared our findings instead of hiding them deep in our bag of secrets, labelled "for experts only".
Rooting is a GOOD thing. So why don't make it easier and safer for everybody ?
Hello,
I've seen some threads on rollbacks but want to be sure I'm doing it right since I'm on an old version.
I have a Apollo 8.9. I can't even remember all the steps I took to get Google apps, but I know I'm on 3.2.5 and have the HDXposed module installed to block updates etc. I'm on Safestrap v 3.75. All I want to do is get back to factory stock latest version so I can sell this. I don't care about getting root again or custom ROMs.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
Tim
Imo, it would be easier to sell as is. Many people want the flexibility that your device has. The ability to have a wonderful screen and be able to put one of many roms on it.
lekofraggle said:
Imo, it would be easier to sell as is. Many people want the flexibility that your device has. The ability to have a wonderful screen and be able to put one of many roms on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. Clearly state the firmware version and indicate the bootloader can be unlocked. Knowledgeable buyers will recognize what this means and may be willing to pay for this capability. Where to sell it and a fair asking price are unknowns (at least to me).
Ironically, market value may be reduced somewhat by a flurry of recent tool/rom releases that work on rooted HDX devices regardless of firmware level as it opens the door for many users who were previously shut out - unless they had a device like yours.
Attempting to restore you device to 'factory defaults' introduces risks that could yield a brick. Best not mess with it unless you are willing to assume those risks.
Title more or less says it all, I've been tasked by my company to do some research into the topic of large-scale Android deployments that involve flashing a custom, stripped-down image. I found a few threads and posts online discussing topics similar to this one, but they all ultimately end up being more concerned about the device setup after initial boot situation, and not so much about just flashing a custom image to 1000s of tablets. I'm fairly experienced with the typical Android flashing process, but I just can't seem to think of a way to scale it up that big without just flashing the tablets one by one, which would likely take years of time I don't have. We are being provided unlocked tablets by the manufacturer, so typical flashing tools should work just fine.
I've already entertained the idea of running several computers at once in order to get flashing done in parallel, since my company has a number of machines that I could use for this purpose, but that's still not entirely ideal.
My company is also not opposed to investing in proper hardware that could achieve this, if such a thing exists, but I can't seem to find evidence that such a thing exists. Feel free to correct me on this, if I'm wrong, however.
It suddenly occurs to me that OTA might be a good solution to this situation, though I have no knowledge of how that exactly works currently, but would it make sense that I could build the custom image we need, then do whatever is necessary to make the image update OTA, and then push it out to the devices? I realize this would still mean having to do initial Android setup on all the tablets, but that would still be faster than going at it one at a time.
I've also thought about trying to write a batch script, and then connecting a mass number of tablets to a large USB hub, then using the script to grab device IDs one by one, and then feed that into fastboot. I guess the issue there might be power, that would have to be one beefy USB hub.
So, any ideas/thoughts/suggestions as to how I might go about accomplishing this? Not looking for exact details or processes, just rough ideas of what could actually work to achieve this goal.