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[Q] Just got my Nexus S! Should I Root it?

Hi, I just got my Nexus S, this is my first Android device, I've been an iPhone user for the last 3 years.
So my question is:
should I root it right now?
or should I just play with stock Android for a while?
if root: what should I install/do with it?
Thanks.

wilee1928 said:
Hi, I just got my Nexus S, this is my first Android device, I've been an iPhone user for the last 3 years.
So my question is:
should I root it right now?
or should I just play with stock Android for a while?
if root: what should I install/do with it?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, there is no reason not to root it. If you root you can do whatever you want. I suggest you check out the different apps, roms, kernels, or mods you can get because there are far too many choices and different kinds of things you can do with root for anyone to tell you what or how should you use it.

kenvan19 said:
Well, there is no reason not to root it. If you root you can do whatever you want. I suggest you check out the different apps, roms, kernels, or mods you can get because there are far too many choices and different kinds of things you can do with root for anyone to tell you what or how should you use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i forgot another thing.
if i root it, is there a way to "unroot" it? just in case there is something wrong with the phone and needs repair (warranty).

wilee1928 said:
i forgot another thing.
if i root it, is there a way to "unroot" it? just in case there is something wrong with the phone and needs repair (warranty).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Making it seem untainted is as easy as flashing a stock rom and relocking the bootloader.

Always yes.
root.

I might suggest playing with the stock android for a bit first since this is your first android device. That way you can get acquainted and get a feel of what you want or expect from a custom rom or applications that require root.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Look around and see if of interest you then root.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Rooting gives you access to some incredibly powerful and useful applications that many of us can't live without.
There's really no reason not to root. It's stupid simple to do, and easily reversed with a few terminal commands to delete the su binary, busybox and its symlinks and the superuser.apk. I don't believe it's even an issue with warranty service. Google's endorsed rooting and hacking the phone (thanks kevnan for shoving that one down my throat again last night), and part of why they made it so easy to do.
Until recently, if you wanted to root, it was really a bad idea not to do it right away because the earlier methods (still) have you doing the fastboot oem unlock command, which will WIPE EVERYTHING on your phone, including all the stuff on your /sdcard (pictures, music, etc), and all your apps' data (like Angry Birds scores) that can't be backed up without root.
We've recently found a method that doesn't require you to wipe the phone, and is just as effective as the earlier methods (really all we're doing is skipping that oem unlock step), so it's not as time critical to root right away as it used to be.
Good luck with the phone; it's fantastic, even on stock ROMs (my choice to use), despite a few annoying quirks!
Sent from Safari browser because Chrome browser frequently won't cooperate with xda forums.

[Q] Root and Custom ROMs - Where to start?

I'm not the person that buys a new phone every 6 months. I'm probably going to use my Nexus S for 2 years or more. And because of that, I want it optimized so that I won't get jealous at those multi-core phones.
I can optimize the OS by just downloading something like Launcher Pro, but I want more. I like applications like Adfree and ShootMe, and VooDoo sound also looks very nice. But, I want more! Custom ROMs increase the speed, and then I could always overclock. So Cyanogen Mod 7 is also on my list.
But the problem is, I don't know where to start. There are SO MANY options in the world of Android. Of course, with some Googling I can find the best Custom ROM (CM7), but the internet isnt very clear about it all. I am an average user, so I don't want to much risks. I also don't understand 'geek language' (you know what I mean ), so these forums don't help me much either.
I know how to root (there are tons of youtube videos), and I can probably find a youtube video for installing CM7 as well, but like I said, I don't know where to start. Can somebody give me a push in the right direction? I hate to ask, but I couldn't find something like a noob guide...

Go to the android development section for nexus S and all topics are covered

willcpfc said:
Go to the android development section for nexus S and all topics are covered
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm I see you can root with or without fastboot oem unlock. I know fastboot oem unlock wipes all data, but if you do it when you get your phone, that isnt a problem. Is there any other (dis)advantage?
It seems there are a lot of methods to root. What is the best one (not the fastest)? I like the one from AllGamer, but it says 'via Clockwork Mod'. I don't know what that is, or what it does. I know I look like an idiot now, but I really can't find good explanations on the internet. Everyone supposes that you know a lot of stuff already.

Androyed said:
Hmm I see you can root with or without fastboot oem unlock. I know fastboot oem unlock wipes all data, but if you do it when you get your phone, that isnt a problem. Is there any other (dis)advantage?
It seems there are a lot of methods to root. What is the best one (not the fastest)? I like the one from AllGamer, but it says 'via Clockwork Mod'. I don't know what that is, or what it does. I know I look like an idiot now, but I really can't find good explanations on the internet. Everyone supposes that you know a lot of stuff already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the guides get you to the same result: root and a custom recovery with the exception of distortedloop's guide which keeps the bootloader locked and avoids an initial wipe. If you read through each thread, you'll realize that they all do the same thing. Some just helps you avoid terminal work, which is as easy as retyping what you see. Just pick one and follow all the steps. No reported advantages or disadvantages to unlocking the bootloader other than the wipe you are aware of.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Go to theunlockr.com It has alot of beginner friendly videos.
http://theunlockr.com/category/howto/android_how_tos/nexus-s-how-tos/
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Thanks, both of you!
Unlocking the bootloader is needed for flashing ROMs, right? If that's true, I think I'll unlock it right away when I don't have any data/apps installed. The only thing that will suck is the ugly padlock sign when you start your phone, but who starts his phone anway...
By the way, changes a unlocked bootloader anything else except for a slightly different boot animation?
Some other questions: will you get OTA updates from Google when you have root enabled? And what if you use a Custom ROM? And what if you use a Custom Kernel? And what if you use Clockworkmod (that is a custom recovery, right?)?
And where do you need a custom kernel for? Is it only to overclock your device? I saw it is also necessary for VooDoo sound, which I like very much. Same question about Clockworkmod: if it's a custom recovery, what does it do? Is it for back-up/rom switching?

Androyed said:
Thanks, both of you!
Unlocking the bootloader is needed for flashing ROMs, right? If that's true, I think I'll unlock it right away when I don't have any data/apps installed. The only thing that will suck is the ugly padlock sign when you start your phone, but who starts his phone anway...
By the way, changes a unlocked bootloader anything else except for a slightly different boot animation?
Some other questions: will you get OTA updates from Google when you have root enabled? And what if you use a Custom ROM? And what if you use a Custom Kernel? And what if you use Clockworkmod (that is a custom recovery, right?)?
And where do you need a custom kernel for? Is it only to overclock your device? I saw it is also necessary for VooDoo sound, which I like very much. Same question about Clockworkmod: if it's a custom recovery, what does it do? Is it for back-up/rom switching?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking the bootloader is not required for flashing roms. On previous devices, it was necessary but we have a method in distortedloop's guide which can work around that.
You can still get OTA updates with root, however updating will cause you to lose root. Custom roms usually have a script to disable OTA updates. Kernels and custom recovery will not affect OTA updates.
Custom kernels are "custom" in itself and often offer more features such as the ability to overclock, file system hacks, as well as sound/graphic hacks which may not be included in a previous developer's custom rom. It leaves room for the user to pick what is suitable for him/her.
Custom recoveries are recoveries with extended features. These features may include the ability to backup/restore, wipe device between ROM builds, and more. Its main feature which I enjoy the most, is the ability to navigate between folders of your storage and choose a ZIP file to flash. Standard recovery requires anything flashed to be in the root of your storage as well as named "update.zip". Custom recoveries eliminates this requirement and lets you keep the name of your zip files as well as organize them in folders. There are more features, but that's up to you to discover and see what you'll actually use.

And again, thanks!
After reading the post above and an awesome explanation on a dutch forum, I now know what all those 'custom' things do.
First of all, I'm interested in root. There are some very useful applications that can only be used with root. After that, I'm going to flash a kernel (not overclock it), probably Netarchy's, for some speed improvement and most important of all, voodoo sound improvement! The last looks very promising.
If I'll get bored after that, (I probably tried out dozens of homescreen replacements and their themes by then), I'm going to flash a Custom ROM, and experiment with custom ROM themes. This is probably going to be Cyanogen Mod, but I'm going to wait till a stable release comes out for the Nexus S. If I'm still bored (we are probably talking about 1.5 years ahead), I'm going to overclock for optimal performance...
This is why I love Android. Why would you buy a new device every couple of months? There is so much to tweak! When I tried to find some information about flashing ROMs, I sure have learned how many possibilities Android has. It isn't easy for the average user, but if you get something awesome like voodoo sound in return, it is defenitely worth it!

Sorry, I got still two questions left:
Custom ROMs don't change anything from the outside, right? They are only deodexed? Or is there a difference between, let's say, MoDaCo's ROM and CM7, from the outside?
I heard some Custom ROMs have certain themes, but I suppose you could just as easy install the stock Gingerbread theme when for example MoDaCo ships with a different theme. Custom ROMs support themes after all.
Also, what is the difference between a theme from a homescreen replacement and a theme from a Custom ROM? Themes from Custom ROMs can change apps, because it is a deodexed ROM, so themes will probably also change the looks of the dialer for example. And themes from homescreen replacements will only change the homescreen. But will a theme from a homescreen replacement also change the notificationbar and the icons? Or do you have to install a Custom Rom for that?
Thanks in advance!

What is root?

I think this thread needs to come about because of my pure hatred for people not understanding what root actually is. We have a nice clean forum and I would like to start a trend. I want people to know what ROOTING is and why when something 'doesnt work' its not because of 'root'
some of the complaints i have read across the boards:
I never had this problem before root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
said by people that are already running a custom rom. rooting had nothing to do with it
ever since I rooted, my data has been flaky
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rooting has no bearing on actual settings for data, apps, or configuration.
i rooted my phone, but i still cant do <insert random function here>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you never installed the application to do that, or you never TOLD your phone to do that. some of this stuff requires a little bit of EFFORT to make it do what you want. rooting isnt some magical voodoo that takes care of itself.
i rooted my phone, but it still looks like the same OS/ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rooting does NOT install a new OS for you. hell, installing a new OS doesnt even require ROOT on most phones. once you have an unlocked bootloader, you put a recovery on it, and do all your flashing through recovery. with a stock phone, unlocked bootloader, you can literally never even boot to the OS to flash a new rom on it.
i am having problems flashing this rom through CWM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
typical response from another user:
are you sure you are rooted? make sure you have debugging turned on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ROOT has absolutely NOTHING to do with anything outside of the actual booted up OS. CWM happens before the OS loads, which means that debugging means F All as well.
what do i do, now that i rooted my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why did you root? rooting your phone should be done only because you have a PURPOSE for doing so. some application that you want to use that requires root, de-bloating, access to /system to poke around, etc. if you have to ask what to do after rooting, you never should have rooted.
This is a pretty good article covering many aspects of rooting
The first paragraph of that article sums it up pretty well:
Rooting your Android phone enables you to use the superuser, or root, permissions of the Linux-based operating system (OS). This gives you and apps that take advantage of the root permissions more control over the Android operating system and the device. Rooting can be entertaining for techies, but there are also plenty of practical benefits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The article is mainly geared toward using SuperOneClick to root, but that method doesnt work on 2.3.5+ as of yet. There is a pretty good list of applications there though.
rooting only applies WITHIN the OS itself. rooting only affects the OS. rooting does NOT make the phone self-aware. rooting doesnt awaken some hidden demon that will make your phone do magical things. its simply a way to get access to the 'administrator' account of the OS and utilize things that are locked out by manufacturers/carriers.
Sorry for the rant, folks. I just have a few pet peeves and people talking about root like its the 'root' of all their problems is one of them. it proves they have no idea what they are doing on their expensive toys. hacking a phone isnt childs play and people that dont want to understand it, have no business here. if you dont understand what you are doing to your phone, READ, UNDERSTAND, COMPREHEND. if you dont want to do those things, then STOP. STAY STOCK and move along, nothing to see here.

I forgot to mention that the entire rooting process only adds 2 files (really only one is NEEDED, the other you can get from the market)
/system/bin/su is added
/system/app/Superuser.apk is added (can be downloaded in market)
thats the root. ONE binary and ONE apk. nothing magical there.
the exploit that is needed is simply to allow a 'temporary' root so that the /system may be mounted as read/write and those 2 apps can be added. the exploit is the magical part.....lol

Thanks for posting this, should be stickied. Good read for the noobs.
sent from my Motorola Atrix 2 via Tapatalk

Rooting problem

Hi folks,
There was this wonderful guide on how to root a phone. Well, I'm stupid. I admit it.
I have NO idea what flashing means or what ROMing does...
regardless, my sole aim & purpose here was to figure out a way HOW to get my phone in a state, where i can delete ANY APPLICATION tmobile puts on my bloody phone that i don't want or need. much like getting a new HP laptop...i buy my own OS and delete everything and start from scratch...
so first i got my unlock code from tmobile...so my phone is unlocked...but i still can't delete any app
so guy next to me who i know and writes apps for android says i should root my phone
well i think i'm rooted...but can't confirm...
regardless, going through this process of rooting...it cleared out phone contents...which i knew it would...you know SD data, sim card data...photos, etc etc...
lol...well now i forgot what gmail ID i used to store all my phone contacts that sucks for me...
So HOW do i get my phone to a state where i can delete anything i want on my phone?!! Thx

Unlock bootloader, flash recovery e.g twrp (v 2.3.3 recommended, higher versions have problems) flash super user then download system tuner and delete the bloat or stuff u don't want under system tab
Sent from my HTC One S using xda app-developers app

This guide makes it pretty easy.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24478083
Follow the steps to unlock bootloader, get a new recovery, and a custom Rom.
Customs Roms don't come with all that tmobile bloat. If you like Sense, try Viper One S.
Goodluck and enjoy the wonderful world of xda.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

npiper05 said:
This guide makes it pretty easy.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24478083
Follow the steps to unlock bootloader, get a new recovery, and a custom Rom.
Customs Roms don't come with all that tmobile bloat. If you like Sense, try Viper One S.
Goodluck and enjoy the wonderful world of xda.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know what a ROM is
But yes, I don't like ANY of the Tmobile bloated software...my INTENTION is to delete all the apps it puts on and just put my own on.
I also don't know what new recovery means.
I'm a guy that pretty much has used Win7 for ages & ages..this is my "realistically" first smartphone, because the "actual 1st" had a broken screen and didn't play with it much. All of this Android stuff is pretty new.
So yeah, I just like clean slates...I pretty much just want my phone to play the music I add on it, my Pandora & watch a few TV shows that I add to the phone via USB from my PC.
As a side question, is it OKAY to ask about "cracked" apps...meaning finding apps that are free but are normally billable..thanks.
Earlier this morning I did go to one of the threads here to start "rooting" but I don't know if I'm done or not...how do I know?

get to know xda, not just these threads--ck out the wiki
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Main_Page
i read and searched everything when i started
you cannot discuss cracked apps as the are illegal
if you are rooted you can dl and use apps like titanium backup and root explorer from market
all this takes time but effort like everything else we do
enjoy the advantages of being rooted
and once you are make a backup (nandroid) asap and a copy of your sdcard. put both on pc also

Should I root?

Everyone got their own reasons.. I'm still new to the Nexus 5 and running stock without root. What do you think? Does rooting really has that many benefits on the Nexus 5?

Yes. Yes you should
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

IVS IVRIS said:
Does rooting really has that many benefits on the Nexus 5?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Only root will not do anything more, it's what you plan to do once rooted that can have benefits...
abaaaabbbb63 said:
The advantages of rooting
-De-bloat your phone. Uninstall any unwanted system apps.
-More control over how the CPU acts. This can increase performance or battery life, depends on how you configure it.
-More control over power consumption. This implies undervolting your CPU, giving it less power, so it consumes less.
-More control over how apps start up. Prevent apps from starting up when they don't need to.
-Change your Baseband (Radio). Try different radio versions, with the purpose of reducing battery drain or improving your signal strength.
-Flash custom ROMs. Bored of the stock ROM and look? Browse through the hundreds of custom ROMs provided by this community, each having different features and looks.
-Backups. The ability to completely backup your phone, and fully restoring it to the time of the backup. This is done with a Nandroid Backup (we'll talk about this later)
-Mods and Inovations. Use many mods, fixes, tweaks or features created by the community!
-Custom Kernels. As a Nexus device, the Nexus 5 will have tons of kernels with different features, supporting better performance, or battery life! To see what a kernel is, keep reading.
-Run apps that need Root Permission. These apps can be very useful, like Titanium Backup, Root Explorer, Terminal Emulator and many others!
The disadvantages of rooting
-Rooting will void your warranty (Although reverting root is very easy)
-The process a bit dangerous. Something could (99.9% probably not, but still) go wrong, and end up bricking your phone. So, yes, the process is 0.1% risky. You can end up deleting everything on your phone. You'll have to handle this process gently and with care.
-You will be able to do a lot more mistakes. These may cause damage to your phone (But hey, that's why we have these kind of threads, eh?)
-No more over the air official updates. You'll have to update your phone manually, through your recovery. (Which isn't that hard)
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From this useful thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/help/faq-to-android-read-post-root-t2508292...
And there is also a lot of useful sticky's to read in the General section :good:
And I would say you will have a bunch of different replies, root or not, with a bunch of different reasons, not sure it will help you more in your choice, maybe even not at all...
And a poll for this, if you rely on a poll to know if YOU need root or not...

IVS IVRIS said:
Everyone got their own reasons..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So then make up your own mind. We can make it for you.

Thanks guys, perhaps I should wait untill the new 4.4.3 is released and then root.. since I do not intend to install a custom recovery.

IVS IVRIS said:
Thanks guys, perhaps I should wait untill the new 4.4.3 is released and then root.. since I do not intend to install a custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
root gives you the ability to modify system. I would definitely recommend installing a recovery, if only to take a backup before you change things, then revert

rootSU said:
root gives you the ability to modify system. I would definitely recommend installing a recovery, if only to take a backup before you change things, then revert
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Definitely!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Unless you have reason to root, you probably shouldn't. However, unlocking the bootloader (which is required to root) will wipe your device, so if you even THINK you may root someday, unlocking the bootloader is not a bad idea early on.
My recommendation: Unlock the device, but do not root until you have reason to root (such as installing an app that requires it).
Having said all that, most backup apps (well, good ones anyway) require root, so that alone may be the reason you need to root. Don't take my recommendation as a sign you shouldn't root. I simply mean that rooting for root's sake is pointless. Only root when you're actually going to do something with it (like make a backup).

I feel like there are 100 threads on this topic already

If you have to ask and take a survey, then I would not recommend it!

Standard XDA answer:
If you don't have your own strong reasons to root, then no, you probably don't need to root.

IVS IVRIS said:
Thanks guys, perhaps I should wait untill the new 4.4.3 is released and then root.. since I do not intend to install a custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes its totally up to you, but remember one thing there is more advantages and positive points for you if you root it.It will modify your apps and power consumption as well.