Database Info

Why do you need ClockworkMod?

Why do you need to set up a recovery or cwm for your phone after it's been rooted?

Almost all of the Kernels and ROM's are installed/Flashed through the Clock Work Custom Recovery. Plus you can use it to do Nandroid backups and clear cache and so on. It's really a great utility to have.

Ok thanks. I'm just really nervous about trying to CwM my phone again cause last week I had to get a new phone cause I did something wrong.
Do you think you could possibly give me step by step instructions on how to properly recover my phone using CwM? I'm not the brightest person and Im kinda clueless with all of this stuff.
EDIT:
Will this do the trick?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=997359
If I do this is my phone ready?

ketchkev000 said:
Ok thanks. I'm just really nervous about trying to CwM my phone again cause last week I had to get a new phone cause I did something wrong.
Do you think you could possibly give me step by step instructions on how to properly recover my phone using CwM? I'm not the brightest person and Im kinda clueless with all of this stuff.
EDIT:
Will this do the trick?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=997359
If I do this is my phone ready?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, most people around here aren't experts when they begin this process - but they definitely AT LEAST have a clue - so I suggest you take some time doing research before you even attempt any of these things. If you're not wanting to do so, try to find someone that you know that has done some modding and see if they can help you. Our references around here are pretty clear and cover all bases, so there shouldn't be too many questions to ask after reading around.
To answer your question, that thread you linked has an odin package that includes a custom recovery (clockworkmod) along with a complete 2.2 stock image, so it would be a good place to start.

Do you need to use cwm if you just wanna use apps that require your phone to be rooted? Sorry for all of the questions.

CWM and Rooting aren't really connected. Some background info, from what I've learned thus far:
Rooting just changes a couple files in the OS portion of Android to allow you to have Superuser access (like Administrator on a Windows machine). All of that goes on in the OS partition.
CWM Recovery, its full, proper name, is a custom Recovery. The default recovery allows just a factory reset for the most part. CWM Recovery allows that, but also allows many more options; clearing user/Dalvik cache, performing Nandroid backups and restores, enabling or disabling Voodoo (note that you need to have a separate Voodoo-compatible kernel installed), flashing things from ZIP files on your SD card, and so on.
The short answer then is no, you don't even need to think about CWM if all you want to do is root your phone and use apps that require it to be rooted.

ketchkev000 said:
Do you need to use cwm if you just wanna use apps that require your phone to be rooted? Sorry for all of the questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are just wanting to use apps that require root access then no you don't have to use CWM. You need CWM if you are going to flash a kernel or ROM or any other Mod for your phone. Rooting and CWM are two different things. As long as your phone is rooted, then you shouldn't have trouble using apps that reuire root access, with or without CWM on your phone. At least I didn't when I first began doing this stuff. Granted Im still a noob to an extent but my phone was rooted for a long time before I ever installed CWM and I never had an issue with the root apps
Edit: didnt' mean to be redundant. Chromewolf posted while I was typing mine

add144 said:
I think its full, proper name would be ClockworkMod Recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damnit! I needed to have found someone else I could have bet money on that not only would I get corrected on that, but that it would be by add. No money for me. XD
But seriously, while add is correct on the matter of semantics, the point I was trying to make is that CWM is just a custom Recovery (which I've sort of taken to needlessly capitalizing lately to emphasize the difference a bit more), as opposed to an app or something.
Brief off-topic: A present for you add, especially if you're a gamer. I hope you lol at it, I know I always do (and I'm the *functional* rules lawyer of the group, LOL), and I'm not the one who wears it!
http://www.warehouse23.com/item.html?id=OWD45013-2XL

Stock GB Rogers to JB questions

I've been sitting on my stock Rogers Infuse 4G since I got it, hoping that they would at the very least release an update to ICS. I've pretty much given up all hope, especially now since the Infuse was listed as one of the "violators" in the recent lawsuit. So, in giving up there, I've started to try and get up to speed with what's available in terms of custom ROMs for the Infuse, etc...
I previously had a Captivate (seems like I pick the wrong phones) and have kept that one stock as well (now my wife's phone) aside from the official 2.3.3 update Samsung came out with for it. I checked in here once in a while to try and keep track of some of the updates as I thought about going for a custom rom, but I never had the balls to try anything (I've only ever flashed one phone in my life, and it was bought 2nd hand for $20 ) since I actually *must have* a working phone due to having a kid (daycare calls are kind of important!). However checking today, it seems like I am totally out of the loop and I just don't have the time to try and wade through thousands of pages on various threads to find out what the current "ways" are and such... but I know what I want to achieve so I'm hoping you folks are nice enough to at the very least give me a "search you noob" and point me to some threads :silly:
Since I'm totally stock, from what I'm gathering I think I need (and really I more of need a complete checklist of things to do rather than a "do it for me" kind of thing) to do is:
1) jot down my modem and apn settings and such (already done)
2) back up everything i need, pop out sd card (know how to do this)
3) wipe/clear to factory default (... and this)
4) back up the current rom - everything in case I want to return back to exactly the way the phone is stock
5) figure out what i need to do to flash CWM or something so I have the necessary recovery mode options?
6) flash to ICS (since from what I gather, I need to do that if I want to go to JB)?
7) follow instructions I found on the unnoficial CM10 JB thread to flash to JB
?) flash a new kernel? (is this done already during a rom flash; are there any new kernels?)
As commented, I can figure out 1-3 since I'm not stupid, but I have no idea what is even needed to do 4, nor do I know exactly all the tiny, necessary, steps to do the rest after that... especially since reading some things it seems like most of this is for AT&T users and since I'm on Rogers with a I997R (I assume the R means Rogers), I don't want to mess up my modem or other things to prevent the phone working for me... and these are the steps I'm hoping people can help me with.
So far, in prep, I've noted my phone info (basically everything in Phone settings) and I can back up all my apps and such that I care about, and I've downloaded the unofficial CM10 JB download and the Google apps apk as well, and on the same thread was a link to a 1-click ICS flash or something... so I got that too. Since I want to end up with JB, I'm not too concerned (or should I be?) with it being AT&T stuff to get to ICS, since it's the JB flash that I'd really want to ensure works for me.
Is anyone willing to help me out? I really wish I didn't have to be the "next loser" to make a thread like this but I just haven't had the time to be able to keep up with all the info going around (voodoo mods and whatever else?!) to be able to make sense of all this myself!
Thank you!

This looks like a good place for you to start
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1197248&highlight=how+to+root+rogers

First thing to do of course is read, read, read. Understanding what you are doing and why you are doing it is the most valuable resource you can have.
The gist of it is though: to install the custom updated roms, you need root. For Rogers infuse users that is very easy to do; all you have to do is install a rooted kernel in odin. After you do that you make a nandroid (and/or EFS) backup, and install whatever rom you want. CM9 and CM10 have their own kernel, so don't worry about that.
adfurgerson posted the step-by-step guide above me, although the links in the OP may be down. I have the mirrors here: http://minus.com/moAvVibed/
the 3 files in there are:
Odin_Infused_Gingerbread_Kernel_v1.zip - This is the rooted kernel you are flashing
Odin_Stock_Rogers_UXKG3_Kernel.zip - This is the stock rogers unrooted kernel if you want to unroot and go COMPLETELY stock for whatever reason (I doubt you will ever need to use this tbh)
Odin_UXKG3_rooted_no_bootloaders_v2.zip - The stock Rogers FIRMWARE. If you ever mess up you use this to "start from scratch". You will still be rooted though if you don't use the stock kernel above.
So yeah, just flash the kernel in odin as described in the above thread and you will have root + cwm.
From there you reboot into cwm (turn off, turn on holding vol+ and vol- buttons) and make a nandroid backup of your stock rogers rom (or an EFS backup with the infuse toolkit: click here), flash CM9 as per the instructions in the OP, and finally CM10 as per the instructions in the OP.
Also remember:
1. The infuse is almost impossible to hard brick. The only real way to do so is to improperly flash bootloaders, which a rogers infuse user will never have to do. Only AT&T users coming from Froyo have to do it. So keep that in mind.
2. On the chance that you get soft-bricked (screen won't go past samsung logo for example) you can always go back to flashing the stock rom/rooted kernel again in odin and start all over again.

The only thing that I can add to Threi's excellent reply is to mention the one click to ICS. It is in the first post of Scott's CM10 thread,it should give you the ICS recovery that is needed to flash JB without flashing a full ICS ROM.

I suppose I should have mentioned that I also have rooted my phone already (used SuperOneClick, worked fine). Is there any reason why I would use that "rooted kernel" versus just having root on my phone (ie, having su installed... dunno what else it did, I don't think it did anything to my kernel)?
I guess my biggest unknown is all the backup processes that can be done and how to do them? Is "nandroid" a one stop shop for doing backups of everything? Although there's the complete stock Rogers rom linked above (which I'll nab anyways!), I was thinking I would try to make a complete copy of my own phone (just in case)... I guess next step is to search for "nanroid"
Are there any other backup tools I could use/check out (not apk backup tools... those are easily located in the app store, or performed with adb myself).

j.smith said:
I suppose I should have mentioned that I also have rooted my phone already (used SuperOneClick, worked fine). Is there any reason why I would use that "rooted kernel" versus just having root on my phone (ie, having su installed... dunno what else it did, I don't think it did anything to my kernel)?
I guess my biggest unknown is all the backup processes that can be done and how to do them? Is "nandroid" a one stop shop for doing backups of everything? Although there's the complete stock Rogers rom linked above (which I'll nab anyways!), I was thinking I would try to make a complete copy of my own phone (just in case)... I guess next step is to search for "nanroid"
Are there any other backup tools I could use/check out (not apk backup tools... those are easily located in the app store, or performed with adb myself).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a kernel is how you obtain cwm which allows you to flash custom ROMs(cwm is clockwork mod recovery). A nandroid is a backup you create in cwm that is copy of your phone that will return your phone to the exact state it was at the time backup was made.

adfurgerson said:
Flashing a kernel is how you obtain cwm which allows you to flash custom ROMs(cwm is clockwork mod recovery). A nandroid is a backup you create in cwm that is copy of your phone that will return your phone to the exact state it was at the time backup was made.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aha, perfect description. I didn't realize I had to get a new kernel to have CWM... and I'm guessing because of signing and such, that a custom kernel (with CWM) is required in order to flash a non-signed rom, which is why you couldn't just do it on stock, right?
Ok, so now armed with that info that clears up a lot, I guess I have just one question left (which I can probably find the answer to with some searching). I have read what that voodoo lagfix is and is this something that is standard now on all kernels (because if it can cause issues, I'd rather just have a kernel without it)? Are there any "rooted" kernels without the lagfix built in so I don't have to remember about disabling the lagfix? ...or is there a way to install CWM on to my current kernel?
*edit* Ok, I realize I might be a bit too picky about the voodoo lagfix thing. I found two good threads on dealing with Rogers specifically, so I'll read over those (and suck it up about voodoo) and see how it goes. Since my vacation got unfortunately cancelled due to a sick kid, I have some time to experiment this weekend... hopefully ending up with JB on my phone!

Glad to see your on you're on the way to JB. After you install a custom kernel be sure to make a nandroid in the backup and restore option of CWM before you flash a ROM. That is like your safety net, if you wiped everything and had a bad download that wouldn't install, you will have a nandroid to restore.

adfurgerson said:
Glad to see your on you're on the way to JB. After you install a custom kernel be sure to make a nandroid in the backup and restore option of CWM before you flash a ROM. That is like your safety net, if you wiped everything and had a bad download that wouldn't install, you will have a nandroid to restore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, just flashed the rooted cwm kernel and performed a backup. I read somewhere that you can/should back up your efs in case you lose your imei... so I'm just going to quickly look in to that, then i wipe and do some flashes to jb... shouldn't take long hopefully!

Ok, I seem to be stuck at trying to get the one-click ICS install to work. I've got the EZUpdater package to ensure I have the right drivers, yet everything I try with the one-click seems to tell me that the drivers aren't installed and then launches an installer which also doesn't seem to detect the phone... yet EZUpdater will run fine, etc...
I'm just about to reboot and launch device driver in a mode to list all hidden/previously installed devices and nuke them from history to hopefully purge my system of all traces of any drivers and install EZUpdater one more time to get the drivers installed.
Any reason why my phone wouldn't show up in this one-click (it uses heimdall or whatever) program, but seems to work in most everything else (adb even runs fine)?
*edit*
Got it all working! I couldn't get the one-click ICS to work for the life of me... it just didn't see the drivers even though they were there and working. I guessed maybe it had to do with me running Windows 7 x64 and having x64 drivers, but the one-click maybe being 32bit. I even tried installing the x64 Java JRE but didn't seem to make any difference.
I ended up having to flash CM9 which worked fine, then going to CM10. Had no issues doing that... wish I had just tried that before since that one-click wasted hours of my day and got me somewhat frustrated!

[complete guide to rooting/flashing your zte engage]

---------- I have personally done this on my ZTE ENGAGE V8000 ---------
--------------------- IT IS ALSO A LOT EASIER THAN YOU THINK ---------------------
Now let's just start this out by saying that there are A LOT of resources for all the information you would ever need to root your device, and where to go from there... But, as I am sure you are finding out, EVERY phone has to be treated differently, and there is no -1-way-is-THE-way-for-every-phone scenario. ESPECIALLY for the wonderful ZTE ENGAGE v8000. So this is just how i made it happen on my phone, starting from knowing absolutely NOTHING about rooting, to having it done and finished now and working FANTABULOUSLY. I went through a lot of headaches trying to figure this out and read and read for DAYS, ruling out non-credible sources like that link that always pops up 'SUPER EASY ROOT FOR ENGAGE v8000' blah blah, i read that that method had bricked all kinds of phones, so i decided to stray away from all that nonsense and talked to different people and am compiling all of that info into this one post. HOPEFULLY it makes it easier for you. Your use of anything here is done at your own risk. I nor anyone else is responsible for your phone. And rooting your phone will void your warranty. Having, said that and gotten it out of the way here are the steps you will need to take:
BASIC INFO LINKS (that i found helpful starting out as a NOOBY NOOB! haha):
Now just an FYI, this way DOES NOT REQUIRE YOUR PHONE TO ALREADY BE ROOTED, but you can always go that route if you'd like but dont ask me how haha.. i've included some links below for your benefit though...
Rooting and Roms Explained
Lifehacker How-to Flash/ROMs
Custom ROMs Info
Re-done EASY Root Method for ZTE Engage
Tips to Not Brick Engage
ZTE Engage Roms
GOOGLE SEARCH
How to Root ZTE ENGAGE
SEARCH AND READ THE HELL OUT OF XDA DEVELOPERS
anyway, the list goes on and on... you get the point. I will also include links in each section that is necessary.
Now don't get overwhelmed... once we start this thing, and you being doing it, it is a piece of CAKE, really...
****REQUIREMENTS****
Cricket ZTE Engage V8000
(this is NOT for the Engage LT N8000)
The only other requirement is you can boot your phone into recovery.
Yes this can be installed in stock recovery.
No you don't need to be rooted.
BE PREPARED FOR A LONG JOURNEY, this will take time.
****READ THROUGH THIS AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE YOU DO IT****
**WARNING**
This rom will wipe all data upon install so make sure you have a backup or don't care if data is lost
Also, this will most likely VOID your warranty, continue at your own risk
There is a RISK of 'bricking' your phone, as with ANY rom, but is HIGHLY UNLIKELY
STEP 1​
BACKUP EVERYTHING on your phone, send contacts to SD card, PICTURES, Any text messages you need to keep, Documents, GAME SAVES, make a list of ALL the apps you have installed (or back them up using your own method of choice), Be prepared for your phone to be SET BACK TO FACTORY DEFAULT meaning *****EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ERASED*****. so back up whatever you want to keep and/or think you want to keep. Now I am a perfectionist, so i made 2 Backups, this was my PRE backup-backup. haha. If you are fine with just trusting that the CWM backup will keep everything then wait til later when you will do an entire phone backup in case anything goes wrong, and also to prevent bricking using CWM, or any other backup app of your choice. I literally just copied EVERY file from my phone to a folder on my computer AND did a phone backup.
I used an app called MY BACKUP (get it from PLAY STORE) because it allowed me to backup NON-ROOTED, so i could backup BEFORE i wipe my phone, which will make this a lot easier for me in the long run.
Guide to Backing up/Restoring
LOOK AROUND and figure out what ROOT apps you would like to have on your phone. Make a list so you know what you want BEFORE you erase/Backup your phone, or download them and put them on SD card, so you will have them afterwards. im referring to apps like ROM Toolbox, My Backup, NANDroid Backup, Titanium Backup, ROM Manager, GooManager, some sort of ANTI-VIRUS, SETCPU, etc...
30 Best Apps for ROOTed Devices
----- check and double check you have saved everything, there is no going back once you've started -----​
STEP 2​
DOWNLOAD CWM [Clockwork Mod](for your specific device, this guide is for the ZTE ENGAGE V8000 SPECIFICALLY)The following link brings you to the main thread which has more information, INSTRUCTIONS and a Q&A posting... feel free to READ EVERYTHING, its better to know too much in this subject than too little. Now you want to get the Unofficial_CWM-v6.0.3.3-V.zip because the official is just the image, not a zip and you need zip to install and the stock one is just if you later decide you dont like whatever you have done and want your phone to go back FACTORY DEFAULT. Like, if you dont like the new ROM on your phone and want your old normal -android- OS (4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich) back. The difference of those confused me at first. Now, do not skip ahead, this part is for DOWNLOAD only, do not attempt to install yet!!
CWM & Stock Recovery Thread: Download and Instructions
More Information and Instructions for ClockwordMod Recovery
*Save .zip for later
ALSO DOWNLOAD the Stock ROM, just in case you want it later, if you dont like the ROM we're gonna install on your device, you have this incase you want to go back to the stock settings. Now, do not skip ahead, this part is for DOWNLOAD only, do not attempt to install yet!!
CWM & Stock Recovery Thread, Download and Instructions
*Save .zip for later
Download S420 ROM. This is going to be the ROOT ROM. It's the main custom rom that we are installing on the phone, the one that will REPLACE the ICE CREAM SANDWICH ANDROID OS and VOID your warranty. It is still based off of Ice Cream Sandwich 4.04 or whatever, because ZTE has not (and probably will not) release an update for their devices to go to jelly bean, or any higher. (kitkat, etc). SORRY GUYS, we're stuck with ICS. Now, do not skip ahead, this part is for DOWNLOAD only, do not attempt to install yet!!
S420 ROM Thread: Download and Instructions
*Save .zip for later.
Copy downloaded files to SD card "Computer > Removable disk > ______ "
we are only using CWM right now, save others on SDCARD for later use
Now, BEGIN installation of the CWM .zip
INSTRUCTIONS: link, SAME AS ABOVE
STEP 3​
AFTER CWM is installed and working CORRECTLY: We need to do the PHONE BACKUP. You have a few options here, you can either GO INTO CWM AND RESTORE IN THE RECOVERY MENU or Go to following link, and follow instructions: (IT HAS PICTURES)
Creating and Restoring NANDroid Backups using CWM
Other Options for Backup
Or you can just use the default backup tool provided by CWM, which is what I did.
------ Now that your ass is covered... we can continue ------​​
STEP 4​
Now, getting a ROM on your baby.... THERE is only ONE that i found for the ZTE ENGAGE, which, you guessed it, is also by senor Stedman420... what on earth would we engage users do without this guy? haa... NOTHIN that's what... He's got a ROM called S420 for our device, and as far as i can tell, it is the only one that is modded in any way. YOU DOWNLOADED THIS EARLIER.
Now, just follow his INSTRUCTIONS for installing
BOOM your done!!! Now just restore all your stuff and you are one rooted mofo.
*If you have any suggestions for improving this post, please comment below.
***CREDITS AND LOOOVE TO THE FOLLOWING***
ALL ROMS AND INSTRUCTIONS BY Stedman420 <3 and also a big thanks for answering my questions!
(seriously, if you need help don't be afraid to ask and make sure you say your thanks to him as well! )
BIG THANKS TO ALL THE ABOVE links and websites that helped me rap my mind around this
Khaoticking and Android Addict for helping me out and answering my questions.

Cricket Engage LT n8000
I have a Cricket Engage LT n8000 and need a custom ROM like CyanogenMod. I heard this is the number one custom ROM. What do you think I should do?

brassass said:
I have a Cricket Engage LT n8000 and need a custom ROM like CyanogenMod. I heard this is the number one custom ROM. What do you think I should do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, So with older phones its kinda tricky because, ultimately, it depends if anyone else has modded that ROM to work with your device... please DO NOT just install any ROM on your device it will most likely brick it or make it unusable. I havent had my ZTE engage for quite some time now so I am not sure as to what has been done since then, but this forum might help you http://androidforums.com/threads/roms-for-the-zte-engage-v8000-or-lt-n8000.722734/
My best suggestion would be to google the heck out of it and see if you can find someone who made CyanogenMod compatible with your ZTE Engage, but it might not be possible so you might have to use one of the ones in the forum i posted (the roms i posted in here will not work, but you can still take advantage of the help links i posted they will take you to VERY useful sites that might be able to answer your question)
Good luck and happy rooting!

[Q] Backing up my data?

I'm so extremely new to this forum (and any forum, for that matter) that I just have an overload of questions. I've taken the time to read some stickies for noobs and that you should always read and search before posting but I am impatient (I tried and failed).
I recently got a gorgeous, red htc one m8 from Verizon. This phone is bomb, and a total step up from my previous galaxy s3, but now I really want to root for the first time and see where it can take me.
I'd like to backup my phone before following the instructions to root, and the resources I've gotten don't seem promising and I was really just wanting to know what would be best to save EVERYTHING from multimedia to my somewhat custom settings. (?)
Please don't hate me. I'm so new. If I ever get to the point of rooting this thing are there any personal recommendations on where to begin after I've rooted (or threads that already have that stuff)?

The rooting process (including soff) wipes no data. After you get root, you can install an app like titani backup or helium backup to backup individual data. You also want to do a nandroid backup in recovery the second you install a custom recovery, so you have a cushion to fall in in a bad situation

wtoj34 said:
The rooting process (including soff) wipes no data. After you get root, you can install an app like titani backup or helium backup to backup individual data. You also want to do a nandroid backup in recovery the second you install a custom recovery, so you have a cushion to fall in in a bad situation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
Now I've just got to google nandroid backup and custom recovery. These are honestly my baby steps with this, should I even root without knowing all this stuff or will it just get easier?

letsmoshjosh said:
Now I've just got to google nandroid backup and custom recovery. These are honestly my baby steps with this, should I even root without knowing all this stuff or will it just get easier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would say you need to read read read. The s-off procedures for either firewater our sunshine are damn near idiot proof so there's little to no risk of damaging things there. However, once you have the ability to flash things in a custom recovery the risk goes way up. As long as you're not flashing unverified experimental files or accidentally flashing files for a different model then today's recoveries make it pretty easy. Also, make a nandroid before you change just about anything through recovery. Happy flashing.

cntryby429 said:
I would say you need to read read read. The s-off procedures for either firewater our sunshine are damn near idiot proof so there's little to no risk of damaging things there. However, once you have the ability to flash things in a custom recovery the risk goes way up. As long as you're not flashing unverified experimental files or accidentally flashing files for a different model then today's recoveries make it pretty easy. Also, make a nandroid before you change just about anything through recovery. Happy flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of the above are true. Please revisit the thread if you have any issues setting up ADB on your machine before you attempt firewater (S-OFF). The big thing for me was making sure I got everything installed properly before I flashed. Once you do the root process be it Samsung, HTC, et al... you will find it is remarkably easy.
If you're looking for a custom ROM, be sure to stick to the Verizon HTC One M8 forums only unless you're directed there by a thread. Before you flash anything at all, just make sure you're solid on the process. Many times, there are awesome people who take the time to make a video about the process from start to end. Those will probably enormously useful for you on your first foray.
Again, ask around and read up! As cntryby429 said, read as much as you possibly can. The truth is, the devs do far more work than we could ever imagine as far as root goes.
Cheers!

letsmoshjosh said:
I'm so extremely new to this forum (and any forum, for that matter) that I just have an overload of questions. I've taken the time to read some stickies for noobs and that you should always read and search before posting but I am impatient (I tried and failed).
I recently got a gorgeous, red htc one m8 from Verizon. This phone is bomb, and a total step up from my previous galaxy s3, but now I really want to root for the first time and see where it can take me.
I'd like to backup my phone before following the instructions to root, and the resources I've gotten don't seem promising and I was really just wanting to know what would be best to save EVERYTHING from multimedia to my somewhat custom settings. (?)
Please don't hate me. I'm so new. If I ever get to the point of rooting this thing are there any personal recommendations on where to begin after I've rooted (or threads that already have that stuff)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been where you are! It's a little daunting finding all the information and getting it sorted.
You will have to do your own reading and do lot of it, but here's a little summary to get you pointed in the right direction.
The only known root method for the M8 is WEAKSAUCE. It provides temp root, meaning you loose root with each reboot but the app will re-root the phone automatically about 30 sec after booting. Servicable but not very elegant.
Root with Weaksauce is a pre-requisite to everything below.
If you want permanent root and/or run a custom rom on this phone you have to S-off, unlock the bootloader and flash a custom recovery (in that order).
For S-off and bootloader unlock (accomplished at the same time) there are two methods:
FIREWATER: free, but does not work on all M8s. Try it - it'll either work or fail. Follow the instructions on the Firewater website to the letter
SUNSHINE: from the same devs that made Firewater, guaranteed to work on all M8s and it'll cost you $25. Well worth it in my opinion.
Once you have S-off and an unlocked bootloader you can install a custom recovery like TWRP or CWM (I recommend the former). Find instructions on the respective websites.
Once you have the custom recovery installed, you can
- flash SuperSU for permanent root
- make a nandroid (total system backup or image) of your stock rom or any rom you have currently installed
- flash a custom rom
This should get you started. Read everything three times, ask twice, flash once.
Edit: Could you do me a favor? Change the title of your thread to something like: Step-by-Step instructions for rooting/roming the M8?
It would make it easier to find for users in a similar situation.

How to dump/backup my own stock firmware without root (nandroid like?)

Hi Team,
Prior any play with my new G930FD I want to fully backup all firmware elements like radio, EFS, etc. to bring it back to state as it is now.
Once this is done I can play with adding root, etc.
Thought process was that it should be possible with ODIN, but I can't find a guide treating this subject.
In the past I've used to use Philz Touch on S4 LTE and all worked fine besides I've had troubles to restore NAND backups. Needed to move back from LineageOS to older CyanogenMOD (due to some issues) only to find out that old backup was not working anymore. I've tested backup earlier but it was years ago and didn't re-test procedure anymore.
Since don't want to run into any similar situation that can't revert to state as I'm in now, thought will asks you experts here.
In the past I'd think about process of booting recovery from computer via fastboot, performing required backup to SD card and them doing whatever I'd need to do.
Checking all guides (and believe me I've spent plenty of time trying to find it) all I was finding was that it required root to perform dump, i.e. using su with dd.
I've no issue to type in terminal as used to patch kernel back in times of kernel v2.4.
I just want to make sure that throughout the process of getting root, I'll have always a roll-back procedure and don't want to trip Knox and other flags, whilst if possible keeping OTA access (based on guides here, this should be possible).
Please advise on steps I should take to backup all current data with any tool or point me to place I've missed as I'm sure someone has described it already and I'm just being blind.
Thanks in advance!

dkadds2 said:
Hi Team,
Prior any play with my new G930FD I want to fully backup all firmware elements like radio, EFS, etc. to bring it back to state as it is now.
Once this is done I can play with adding root, etc.
Thought process was that it should be possible with ODIN, but I can't find a guide treating this subject.
In the past I've used to use Philz Touch on S4 LTE and all worked fine besides I've had troubles to restore NAND backups. Needed to move back from LineageOS to older CyanogenMOD (due to some issues) only to find out that old backup was not working anymore. I've tested backup earlier but it was years ago and didn't re-test procedure anymore.
Since don't want to run into any similar situation that can't revert to state as I'm in now, thought will asks you experts here.
In the past I'd think about process of booting recovery from computer via fastboot, performing required backup to SD card and them doing whatever I'd need to do.
Checking all guides (and believe me I've spent plenty of time trying to find it) all I was finding was that it required root to perform dump, i.e. using su with dd.
I've no issue to type in terminal as used to patch kernel back in times of kernel v2.4.
I just want to make sure that throughout the process of getting root, I'll have always a roll-back procedure and don't want to trip Knox and other flags, whilst if possible keeping OTA access (based on guides here, this should be possible).
Please advise on steps I should take to backup all current data with any tool or point me to place I've missed as I'm sure someone has described it already and I'm just being blind.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a method to do that but I'm afraid it's not for our phone, because you see for the devices that can install twrp with fastboot command you can make a command that only boots twrp "fastboot boot recovery" or something like that, I don't remember clearly,instead of "fastboot flash xxxx" but we can't flash twrp with fastboot so that's impossible for us I think, I strongly advise you not to try these methods because you might end up bricking your device, if you are afraid you might mess up your phone stay away from the root and flashing, AFAIK there's no other method than the one with Odin and formatting data.

Thanks for answer, hoped I was just missing something.

Might be interesting for some people, and in fact for myself too.
I've found out that baseband version I've is not listed at Sammobile:
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s7/SM-G930FD/
It is:
G930FXXU1DQEJ
Not sure how to proceed should I run into issues?
I do also consider downgrading back to Marshmallow to take advantage of Xposed.
btw. it was all so easy, nice and sweet back in times of my S4 LTE play and now it is all so complicated, that even encryption with root seems to be so, so dangerous. :-S

dkadds2 said:
Hi Team,
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe this one https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software-hacking/tool-twrp-backup-restore-tool-pc-t3572241 or https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-nexus/general/guide-phone-backup-unlock-root-t1420351

Long time ago... though forgot to make sure I say thank you! I've had laptop OS level issues and missed to say that. Sorry.