Database Info

Need ADB? Im using windows?

edit: Sorry, i forgot to hit the "yes this is a question" box
So, im trying to root my new Thunderbolt so i can make it verMYzon.
Anyways, cheesy things aside, while using the thread at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=996616 it says "Note, ADB required."
What really does that mean and where can i get it for my Windows 7 / Thunderbolt combo?
The only root method i know is the ancient forms of one click with original cm and a G1

Try download android sdk ;-)
**DamianGTO ultimate kernel v1.3 * 600Hz * 346MB RAM * OC/UV * 1280MHZ**

Thanks! You helped out a bit!
Now im setting up everything and following the guides...but, All i really want root for is to get rid of the MASSIVE amount of bloat and make backups.
And of course later, get rid or change this unpersonalizable "personalize" button...

Superthrust said:
Thanks! You helped out a bit!
Now im setting up everything and following the guides...but, All i really want root for is to get rid of the MASSIVE amount of bloat and make backups.
And of course later, get rid or change this unpersonalizable "personalize" button...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
root is another story what device do you own? adb can indeed remove bloatware but your device need to be rooted to work

nicandris said:
root is another story what device do you own? adb can indeed remove bloatware but your device need to be rooted to work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im using the Thunderbolt. I got it rooted last night, but due to a defective unit or something, my phone wouldn't accept my transferred number from Tmobile to Verizon. I now have a new phone and will not be rerooting. Maybe i did something wrong? kept saying "phone could not be authenticated at this time..." when i tried calling someone.
But also, all md5 sums were correct. I just wanna get rid of these stupid games i wont use, and maybe a cool looking rom. but my top priority is CHANGE THIS STUPID PERSONALIZE BUTTON to something useful...Like quick access to camera.
Actually...if someone could help me just change it to a quick access to camera INSTEAD of "personalize" using the stock rom, that would be great...

Superthrust said:
Im using the Thunderbolt. I got it rooted last night, but due to a defective unit or something, my phone wouldn't accept my transferred number from Tmobile to Verizon. I now have a new phone and will not be rerooting. Maybe i did something wrong? kept saying "phone could not be authenticated at this time..." when i tried calling someone.
But also, all md5 sums were correct. I just wanna get rid of these stupid games i wont use, and maybe a cool looking rom. but my top priority is CHANGE THIS STUPID PERSONALIZE BUTTON to something useful...Like quick access to camera.
Actually...if someone could help me just change it to a quick access to camera INSTEAD of "personalize" using the stock rom, that would be great...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might want to brew yourself a cup of coffee -- or an ocean for that matter. You see, the Thunderbolt comes with a signature check to make sure that you are running HTC's key. So custom ROMs might take awhile
I could be, of course, saying this like an idiot; I haven't read my feeds in the past week and I'm too exhausted to check. It's a possibility that this has changed. I will delete my post if someone proves me right.

You know, i liked your response. I understand what youre getting at, but i mean, if there is a mod i can attach to the STOCK rom just to repurpose the personalize button, i'd love to try testing it.
Plus...I might have a lead on the sig check key...if anyone looks closely...its surprisingly similar to one we've seen before of a terribad phone...but due to an issue, i need to reinstall a "better" SDK or something to help test since my new laptop don't like linux

Superthrust said:
You know, i liked your response. I understand what youre getting at, but i mean, if there is a mod i can attach to the STOCK rom just to repurpose the personalize button, i'd love to try testing it.
Plus...I might have a lead on the sig check key...if anyone looks closely...its surprisingly similar to one we've seen before of a terribad phone...but due to an issue, i need to reinstall a "better" SDK or something to help test since my new laptop don't like linux
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try going to Settings > Applications > Quick Launch you might find something there

I dont see quick launch under Applications...
Settings>Applications>"Unknown Sources, Manage Applications, Running Services, Development, Fast Boot"

[Q] Why are Android stocks tied to the system?

I was just wondering, why if you delete certain stock apps (Or Bloatware for that matter), they cause FCs or instability in general? Are they tied into the OS somehow?
If somebody can explain this, (In layman
s terms, I'm still learning things about Android) I'd be very thankful.

Bloatware can be removed when you root your device through the explorer. But you can download custom roms with an unlocked bootloader which usually have no bloatware those are two ways of getting rid of the carrier crap. Your choice.

It's also dependent on your device & what type of rom you're running. There should be a list of safe to remove apps for your device/rom.
If you're iffy of something, try freezing it first with Titanium Backup. If all goes well then you can uninstall it.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Thanks for your quick reply, but what I meant was why is it that if you delete a stock apps (Like DriveSmart from Samsung)
HC13 said:
well if u delete driver smart. every time you go to settings and select driver smart you will get a force close... also with wifi calling. and startup setup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it messes with the system.
EDIT: Figured it was worth mentioning that I don't own an Android device yet (But it'll either be the Epic 4G or the Sidekick 4G [I lurk in the latter's forum]), so I'm trying soak up as much info as I can receive.
So when I get either device [Even though hands on experience always trumps reading things off forums] I won't waste time figuring things out.
EDIT #2: And thanks plainjane, missed your post somehow.

"To Root or not to Root?" that's the question...

I don't want to know how to root, I can find my answer for that on Google, however what I don't get is what it does...
I know it unlocks the device somehow, but can't I simply access everything in the system if I compile android from source and install it on the device?
I have downloaded the android source and I believe I can access every possible thing, so why is rooting needed?
If I install an app as a system app, won't it automatically have the permissions to do what I need it to do?

AFAIK rooting is for the people you'd call the end user/consumer or whatever.
If you have a new phone and want to install one of the many custom ROMs around, you simply need a rooted phone.
A custom ROM is in easy terms a custom made User Interface for the phone.
There is lot more complicated stuff going on under the hood, but in general you change the look and feel of you phone's UI.
The phone has to be rooted, because the manufacturers and net providers around pack a lot of useless crap called "bloatware" (like Samsung Shop and Samsung Play and Samsung Sing and Dance and Music and whatnot) on your phone, which often makes it slower than it can be without it.
But naturally the big corps don't want you to be able to get rid of that **** too easily, which is why you don't have access to the system folders as a normal user.
I guess in your case it's possible that you (if you compiled android from source and installed it on your device) so to say have an already rooted phone, since Android itself is rooted by default. Like I said, the manufacturers are the ones to unroot Android in order to dictate which apps their customers might or might not use.
But I'm a noob and am not sure how you would install Android on your phone if it's new (and unrooted by default?) if you haven't rooted it before?
meh, hope that helped a bit at least...

root- you would love to do it after reading this..
Root? what is it?
it is what i call full access to our phone, flash new roms, have dual boot (example- you can have to os like ics and JB), can access the evasive /data folder which holdes the apk/setups of apps installed from playstore and many other things..
If you are concerned about warranty you can unroot your phone and give in your phone for warranty. i have given my phone for warranty like this.
The most important thing i like about root is that i can fix my phone myself (if it is a software problem). any other question please ask, and i will answer it.
Thanks if helped!

I don't have the time for development anymore. I used to play with stuff like that years ago, but life has taken me away from it. I'd still like to be able to access everything on my phone and play with custom roms, and root lets me do that. The end consumer comment is a good one.
As for to root or not root, I tell most people who ask me to root for them what they use their phone for and explain what they would get out of rooting, and explain the risks involved. Seems that people who understand what rooting does are able to do it themselves, and the ones that ask you to do it for them usually decide against it after hearing "there is a tiny chance that your phone could get bricked" lol

If you just want to play emulators etc, how would you benefit from rooting?

IMO rooting is very useful if you want to keep touching system things in a stock rom, optimizing and debloating it, installing other people ROMs, etc... I believe that if you compile your own flavour of android and find no restriction doing whatever you want, you don't need to.

Android phone without root is nothing

McFex said:
AFAIK rooting is for the people you'd call the end user/consumer or whatever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:good:
McFex said:
But I'm a noob and am not sure how you would install Android on your phone if it's new (and unrooted by default?) if you haven't rooted it before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some phones can just be flashed (for example via usb) which gives you full control, others can be cracked.

Android Backups

Let me start by saying I'm not the new kid on the block. I've been using Android since it's inception. I am an Android fanatic. I root, tinker with roms, apps, settings, kernels, mods, etc. . You name it, I do it( as far as android is concerned). I say this with a singular purpose, don't flame me for this question because to me it seems completely valid.
Why does android not have the ability backup itself built in( this should not require root) ?
Why has Google not implemented the ability to do so from a computer? <<- This should be identical to how an iPhone is backed up ( don't flame on this because it's actually one of the things iPhone does better than anyone else, and I hate Apple. However I give credit where it's due)
Don't tell me we have plenty of options even if we're not rooted, if this we're the case then people would not rely on clockwork mod recoveries, twrp, or the like. Those types of restores should be available without having a custom recovery, custom rom, or root in and of itself.
Also don't bring up the backup using adb, it's hidden, and it is mediocre. It fails to backup a lot of things.
I'm asking only about a complete backup option, with possibly the option to select and deselect certain types of data<<--This to should be similar to backing up an iPhone .
Now who here would like this to be a feature implemented in the next version of android?
If you answer my questions please just be clear and concise.
I will respond should it be warranted, or requested.
This is not a flaming thread, don't do it.
I look forward to all of your responses.
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda app-developers app

playerjunglejosh said:
Let me start by saying I'm not the new kid on the block. I've been using Android since it's inception. I am an Android fanatic. I root, tinker with roms, apps, settings, kernels, mods, etc. . You name it, I do it( as far as android is concerned). I say this with a singular purpose, don't flame me for this question because to me it seems completely valid.
Why does android not have the ability backup itself built in( this should not require root) ?
Why has Google not implemented the ability to do so from a computer? <<- This should be identical to how an iPhone is backed up ( don't flame on this because it's actually one of the things iPhone does better than anyone else, and I hate Apple. However I give credit where it's due)
Don't tell me we have plenty of options even if we're not rooted, if this we're the case then people would not rely on clockwork mod recoveries, twrp, or the like. Those types of restores should be available without having a custom recovery, custom rom, or root in and of itself.
Also don't bring up the backup using adb, it's hidden, and it is mediocre. It fails to backup a lot of things.
I'm asking only about a complete backup option, with possibly the option to select and deselect certain types of data<<--This to should be similar to backing up an iPhone .
Now who here would like this to be a feature implemented in the next version of android?
If you answer my questions please just be clear and concise.
I will respond should it be warranted, or requested.
This is not a flaming thread, don't do it.
I look forward to all of your responses.
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you want some gain, you would have to bear some pain.......
Well... to be honest, i really don't use backups much, just titanium backup and we've got non-root alternatives as you stated, so , it's not a matter of great attention to me.... I like fresh and clean installs

playerjunglejosh said:
Let me start by saying I'm not the new kid on the block. I've been using Android since it's inception. I am an Android fanatic. I root, tinker with roms, apps, settings, kernels, mods, etc. . You name it, I do it( as far as android is concerned). I say this with a singular purpose, don't flame me for this question because to me it seems completely valid.
Why does android not have the ability backup itself built in( this should not require root) ?
Why has Google not implemented the ability to do so from a computer? <<- This should be identical to how an iPhone is backed up ( don't flame on this because it's actually one of the things iPhone does better than anyone else, and I hate Apple. However I give credit where it's due)
Don't tell me we have plenty of options even if we're not rooted, if this we're the case then people would not rely on clockwork mod recoveries, twrp, or the like. Those types of restores should be available without having a custom recovery, custom rom, or root in and of itself.
Also don't bring up the backup using adb, it's hidden, and it is mediocre. It fails to backup a lot of things.
I'm asking only about a complete backup option, with possibly the option to select and deselect certain types of data<<--This to should be similar to backing up an iPhone .
Now who here would like this to be a feature implemented in the next version of android?
If you answer my questions please just be clear and concise.
I will respond should it be warranted, or requested.
This is not a flaming thread, don't do it.
I look forward to all of your responses.
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it seems like a interesting idea, when i had a ipod touch back then, i jail broke it and after a few days it decided to not want to turn on (stayed at apple logo) and iTunes detected it and i was able to restore it to brand spanking new. i dont think it would be possible for google to do so without root ( and a few Sues here and there from apple ) Android is based off linux right? we can make backups on linux because we have Super User permissions, we own this Computer, we can do all the Admin Crap we want. for android, Samsung owns your phone or HTC owns your phone, You do not have full Admin permissions on your device to make a backup (of the sort we are talking about) also im sure the OEM's would be angry with people easily being able to Restore their broken device so they wont buy that phone a second time or even get a bigger more expensive phone.

The reason I bring it up is not because of fresh installs, or whatever.
Here is an example:
A regular non techie person, has Android phone x. They make a complete backup using the aforementioned capabilities that isn't implemented yet. There phones screen goes out, they drop there phone in water, whatever the phone is not in working condition. Well if they had the capabilities that I'm referring to, that phone would need to be called on warranty, or for the latter insurance. Either way they are sent a new device, same model as they had previously. Now they sync there backup, and there back up and running.
The way it is now, that person would have to hope that Google syncs back there apps ( it has never worked for me, except for contacts, and for the most part developers aren't backing up there app data to Google so that is not something you get back).
Not to mention settings are never synced, so there's that.
Point being android does not have any good options to make a complete backup. The only real options require root, which an average consumer will not have. This is why I'm saying it should be simplified, to where we can do it via one click on a pc.
I personally would like to start a petition for this, as anyone could benefit from this function.
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda app-developers app

eatsleep said:
Well, you want some gain, you would have to bear some pain.......
Well... to be honest, i really don't use backups much, just titanium backup and we've got non-root alternatives as you stated, so , it's not a matter of great attention to me.... I like fresh and clean installs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but if it's implemented within android that's not really an issue.
Look at it like this, we used to need root to screen shot, to Hotspot, to install apps out of the Android market ( not really been an issue since it hasn't been Google play because android was fairly mature by then). Point is Google gave those features, and implemented them natively, this removing need to root to do them. The same could be done with the ability to make backups.
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda app-developers app

Trozzul said:
it seems like a interesting idea, when i had a ipod touch back then, i jail broke it and after a few days it decided to not want to turn on (stayed at apple logo) and iTunes detected it and i was able to restore it to brand spanking new. i dont think it would be possible for google to do so without root ( and a few Sues here and there from apple ) Android is based off linux right? we can make backups on linux because we have Super User permissions, we own this Computer, we can do all the Admin Crap we want. for android, Samsung owns your phone or HTC owns your phone, You do not have full Admin permissions on your device to make a backup (of the sort we are talking about) also im sure the OEM's would be angry with people easily being able to Restore their broken device so they wont buy that phone a second time or even get a bigger more expensive phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ment to quote you in the above quote.
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda app-developers app

playerjunglejosh said:
Ment to quote you in the above quote.
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i think google has done enough to make google as great as it is today, im thinking the reason why we dont have one of these options could be that they want us to make a program for this? im sure eventually they will have such a option to download multiple apps on a que so we can install them quickly without have to go over Each specific one.

Well actually what I'm referring to would have to be done by Google.
Here's why, locked bootloaders, encrypted boot loaders, etc.
The developer community could make such a program, but it's going to need root to be able to do what I'm referring to.
Google would have to make the OEMs use a standard, so that it could be accomplished without exposing there software. This would probably mean our backups would have to be encrypted on a per Google account basis.
It's not an impossible feat.
1) It would simply require Google to make the standard, and ensure that it's enforced. Ignoring it would mean no Google services, which to most is a huge negative.
2) Google release the program.
3) OEM would need to ensure compliance with said program, and submit software drivers to Google, or simply distribute them via there website( as they do now). Preferably submitting them to Google.
4) Making backups would become so much easier, especially for the average joe
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda app-developers app

Trozzul said:
well i think google has done enough to make google as great as it is today, im thinking the reason why we dont have one of these options could be that they want us to make a program for this? im sure eventually they will have such a option to download multiple apps on a que so we can install them quickly without have to go over Each specific one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One big problem with this is the syncing of app data. I don't want to have to restart my games every time I get a different device( especially a replacement device that is the same model as my prior device).
Another thing, I keep an electronic checkbook, and would be thrilled if I could keep that app data from here on out, even when I change devices. However this definitely something I don't want Google's prying eyes on. So only local backup, which makes the complete backup via pc even more vital.
Maybe since businesses are the next aim, they will implement this feature because it can be vital certain data be absolutely private, but still have backups.
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda app-developers app

[Q] blocking ads in apps

hello all,
i just bought nexus 5.... i am kind of noob when it comes to android.
is there i can block all annoying ads that crops up within apps and browser?
i dont want to risk rooting my phone.
pls suggest me easiest, secure way to do this....
thanks.

You can try opting out from Ads from Google Settings but the only way to get rid of all the ads is to use an app like adaway which needs root. I don't know why you think it's a risk rooting your phone?? You can get back to stock anytime to claim warranty.

vin4yak said:
You can try opting out from Ads from Google Settings but the only way to get rid of all the ads is to use an app like adaway which needs root. I don't know why you think it's a risk rooting your phone?? You can get back to stock anytime to claim warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hello
since i am new to android, i dont want to mess up/experiment on my phone. atleast till i get hang of it.
i used play a lot with my N95 before. so, till i get firm grasp on android inner workings, i wouldnt want to do anything with its in built features.
further, rooting is bit too technical for me..... there is no application that can root with just a click like it existed with S60 V3 OS.....
so will wait till such a thing comes up.

Try to find in playstore

lambo98 said:
Try to find in playstore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank u for this grt suggestion.
fyi: all ad blocking apps r removed from playstore. only detectors r whats there.

ags84 said:
further, rooting is bit too technical for me..... there is no application that can root with just a click like it existed with S60 V3 OS.....
so will wait till such a thing comes up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even though there are tools available to do this (simple search on xda will locate those), you really should take the time to understand the 4-5 (simple) steps involved in rooting. That way, you know exactly what is happening (versus a toolkit that will attempt to do everything for you, and just tell you "all done" - without you having a clue about what really happened). The advantage of understanding these steps is that later, if you want to install an update or want to switch kernels and read a guide that tells you to flash "xyz", or restore from nandroid etc, you will not be clueless. Or if somebody tries to help you with an issue, and asks you to go your recovery, you won't be asking "how do I go to recovery screen"
My suggestion: If you are ever planning to root your Nexus 5, read the first 2 posts at http://forum.xda-developers.com/goo...ide-nexus-5-how-to-unlock-bootloader-t2507905 - especially the parts highlighted in red.
Then, read it again <-- repeat till you understand it. If you have questions, read/search that thread to see if somebody already asked that question - and if not, ask in that thread.
The Nexus is probably the easiest device to root. But don't root till you are comfortable with it, and understand the steps involved.
Since you mentioned in your first post that you didn't want to root, you could try https://adblockplus.org/en/about
I must admit that I tried it once and wasn't able to get it to work right, and so I just installed adaway (that requires root) instead.

jj14 said:
Even though there are tools available to do this (simple search on xda will locate those), you really should take the time to understand the 4-5 (simple) steps involved in rooting. That way, you know exactly what is happening (versus a toolkit that will attempt to do everything for you, and just tell you "all done" - without you having a clue about what really happened). The advantage of understanding these steps is that later, if you want to install an update or want to switch kernels and read a guide that tells you to flash "xyz", or restore from nandroid etc, you will not be clueless. Or if somebody tries to help you with an issue, and asks you to go your recovery, you won't be asking "how do I go to recovery screen"
My suggestion: If you are ever planning to root your Nexus 5, read the first 2 posts at http://forum.xda-developers.com/goo...ide-nexus-5-how-to-unlock-bootloader-t2507905 - especially the parts highlighted in red.
Then, read it again <-- repeat till you understand it. If you have questions, read/search that thread to see if somebody already asked that question - and if not, ask in that thread.
The Nexus is probably the easiest device to root. But don't root till you are comfortable with it, and understand the steps involved.
Since you mentioned in your first post that you didn't want to root, you could try https://adblockplus.org/en/about
I must admit that I tried it once and wasn't able to get it to work right, and so I just installed adaway (that requires root) instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for the insight.
i am reading it and will root only after i fully understand it.
i did try adblockplus. got it when i searched on google.
as u said, it doesnt work right..... so i thought of asking it here as it is comman problem faced by many android users.
cheers.

ags84 said:
thank you for the insight.
i am reading it and will root only after i fully understand it.
i did try adblockplus. got it when i searched on google.
as u said, it doesnt work right..... so i thought of asking it here as it is comman problem faced by many android users.
cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ad Block Plus got nuked by Google, unfortunately. You need root to do this for all apps and on all connection types.

ags84 said:
i am reading it and will root only after i fully understand it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good on you to take the time to learn.
Short of rooting your phone and installing an ad-blocker, you would have to pay for "pro" versions of apps you use, which often remove ads from the app as part of the upgrade.

MoaAB hands down is the best add blocker! But u need root...
(Mother of all Add Blockers)

Nothing is going to fully block ads without root. Nope. ?

For unrooted try Andblock (not ABP) http://code.google.com/p/andblock/
You need to import a host file (menu > import), and set Port to 8080
Blocks web ads only

Lord Childe said:
For unrooted try Andblock (not ABD) http://code.google.com/p/andblock/
You need to import a host file (menu > import), and set Port to 8080
Blocks web ads only
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So just for browsers you mean? If that's the case you can just use AdBlock Plus extensions/addons for your respective browser.
Adblock (unrooted, side load APK) will still work for WiFi just not on a data connection and needs to be setup as a proxy, or is it just for data? Can't remember.

bblzd said:
So just for browsers you mean? If that's the case you can just use Ad Block Plus extensions/addons for your respective browser.
Adblock (unrooted, side load APK) will still work for WiFi just not on a data connection and needs to be setup as a proxy, or is it just for data? Can't remember.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It’s plugged as ‘Andblock’, yet the app is named ‘Adblock’ – very confusing. And I’m sure it’s intentional, given the similarities with ABP.
Before I rooted my device I used Andblock (Adblock) – it works with 3g/4g, whereas ABP unrooted only works over wifi. Anyway, standalone ABP for Android is riddled with bugs and inconsistencies – brilliant as a FF addon in Windows, might be good as a browser ext. for Android - but if you're unrooted and use a browser that hasn’t got an ABP ext. then you’re buggered.
A device isn’t completely free of ads even with root - the famed MoaAB doesn't block every app ad.