Hi,
I am switching from blackberry to Android and have a few questions to all the knowledgeable people here.
so.
1. What does it mean the the bootlogger is locked or something like that? And how does that affect the functionality of the phone
2. what does rooting mean? and what does it do?
3. On the HTC sensation are you forced to use the Sense UI?
4. What does Vanilla mean? I saw the G2X is Froyo Vanila
5. If you "Jailbreak" a phone with Android does it void the warranty?
6. If your phone is locked does it block you from certain applications
7. What does custom ROM mean?
Thanks I have more but for now thats enough lol.
I do not have amazing knowledge of android either, but i read and try to learn as much as i can.
Below is my try to answer your questions.
1. What does it mean the the bootlogger is locked or something like that? And how does that affect the functionality of the phone
It's called bootloader. Every phone has locked boot loader which means you can't go down to the system level and back up your ROM or basically do anything at very basic system level.
2. what does rooting mean? and what does it do?
Rooting means unlocking the bootloader. Kind of Jailbreak. By rooting the phone you can access the system files and tweak the system files to your likings. Most of the android phones come with some apps already installed on it(bloatware). You can remove those apps after rooting your phone. You can install different ROMs other than your phone shipped with. CM7 is one of the custom ROMs. There are plenty others.
3. On the HTC sensation are you forced to use the Sense UI?
Yes. You can definitely root your phone and install some custom ROMs. But every new phone takes some time for development. Its not like within a week you are going to get custom ROMs.
4. What does Vanilla mean? I saw the G2X is Froyo Vanila
Vanilla is sth which comes directly from google without any customization. So G2X is stock android. Froyo(2.2) is the version of android. G2X is soon to get Gingerbread(2.3) update.
5. If you "Jailbreak" a phone with Android does it void the warranty?
Jailbreak term is for iPhones. You do not jailbreak android phones. You ROOT android phone using some programs. And yes it does void your warranty BUT you can always unroot the phone and get back to the stock to get your phone replaced or get it back under warranty.
6. If your phone is locked does it block you from certain applications?
It all depends. Let's say your phone has pretty bad battery life. You saw an app called battery calibrator from market which helps to calibrate you battery. Now you can't use that app until and unless you are rooted as that app needs access to the system files. So only the apps which needs access to the system files will not work. But nobody is going to block you from downloading it. it's just that it won't work if you are not rooted. So the direct answer to your questions is ANROID is open source. Nobody is ever going to stop you from doing anything with your phone.
johnnyp500 said:
Hi,
I am switching from blackberry to Android and have a few questions to all the knowledgeable people here.
so.
1. What does it mean the the bootlogger is locked or something like that? And how does that affect the functionality of the phone
2. what does rooting mean? and what does it do?
3. On the HTC sensation are you forced to use the Sense UI?
4. What does Vanilla mean? I saw the G2X is Froyo Vanila
5. If you "Jailbreak" a phone with Android does it void the warranty?
6. If your phone is locked does it block you from certain applications
7. What does custom ROM mean?
Thanks I have more but for now thats enough lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Hard to gain root/hack
2. Just like jailbreaking pretty much. It allows access to things the common user shouldn't have access too.
3. Yes and No. You can download one of the many launchers from the market and while they will change what your device looks like on the surface, some underlying features of Sense will still remain in the background.
4. Vanilla means "Stock Android" (No skins like Sense)
5. Android doesn't have Jailbreaking, it has rooting and yes it will void the warranty but it's easy to undo encase you need to send your phone back.
6. I am assuming your talking about a locked bootloader and no it doesn't mean you can't have access to certain apps.
7. A custom ROM is something a developer cooks up. It is usually a version of Android with extra features that runs better than what came on your device.
johnnyp500 said:
Hi,
I am switching from blackberry to Android and have a few questions to all the knowledgeable people here.
so.
1. What does it mean the the bootlogger is locked or something like that? And how does that affect the functionality of the phone
2. what does rooting mean? and what does it do?
3. On the HTC sensation are you forced to use the Sense UI?
4. What does Vanilla mean? I saw the G2X is Froyo Vanila
5. If you "Jailbreak" a phone with Android does it void the warranty?
6. If your phone is locked does it block you from certain applications
7. What does custom ROM mean?
Thanks I have more but for now thats enough lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What does it mean the the bootlogger is locked or something like that? And how does that affect the functionality of the phone=
Its a bootloader, and to keep it simple lets just say if its locked it makes it alot harder for the devs to do what they do.
what does rooting mean? and what does it do?=
rooting means to gain root access. think of it as being an admin on your pc compared to being on as a guest account. It allows you to make changes that you are normally not able to
On the HTC sensation are you forced to use the Sense UI?=
Untill you have rooted your phone you are but once your rooted you can flash (install) a rom that is not sense based or "senseless"
What does Vanilla mean? I saw the G2X is Froyo Vanila=
it refers to the UI
5. If you "Jailbreak" a phone with Android does it void the warranty?=
You Jailbreak an I-phone and Root an android. Its the same thing and it does void the warranty
If your phone is locked does it block you from certain applications=
no,
What does custom ROM mean?=
it means someone put alot of time and hard work into making your devise run better, faster, and smoother. Not to mention look and sound different.
Related
Sorry for what must seem like stupid question, but haven't found this answered anywhere.
I've heard that OTA updates can block root avenues, so that means I should root as soon as I can, right?
But what I'm wondering is: Is Froyo a finished product, ready to use on any phone it is installed on (right specs of course)? Or does each phone manufacturer need to customize Froyo for their specific phone?
I can go to a computer parts store, and as long as I buy everything I need, I know I can install and run windows on it. Is Android the same way? Or do the manufacturers need to take "virgin" Android and plug it into their hardware?
I have an Epic, and while waiting for Cyanogen, I would like to install stock 2.2 right now. Can I do that? And have a fully functional phone?
Thanks to everyone here.
If you are upgrading to 2.2 from the manufacturer, you should be fine. There are still methods to root that. If it is a 2.2.1 upgrade I would hold out and wait for a 2.2[.1] ROM to be created for your device.
To answer your other question. There is the 2.2 user interface which is pretty portable and should work on any device. The KERNEL is NOT. And that is what needs to be developed for your device by the community before you can get real custom ROMs. Unfortunately these two things come hand in hand so you can't just put any 2.2 rom on your device. It needs to be "fitted" (as you put it) with the right Kernel (among other things). Because of the nature of that, some of the UI and other System code may also need to be changed for the device to function properly. Do NOT flash a ROM not listed for your device. If the ROM flashes both the recovery partition and the normal boot partition, your phone will most likely be bricked. Even if it doesn't it can still brick your phone.
what about apps to SD card
(Dcow90, thanks for the quick response )
I read that rooted 2.1 would allow this, is this correct? Rooting won't change anything on my phone, just the permissions, right? So I could root now and move my apps, and then upgrade once the kernal is out, yes?
Is there a tutorial on rooting anywhere on the site? A clear explanation of what it is and what it does? If not, there should be, I wouldn't have needed to post if there was.
Thanks again for all your help guys.
Probably tons of questions like these, but I couldn't find the right answers, sorry.
1) What makes the Nexus S easier to root than other devices?
2) When you root, you can install custom roms. What else can you do with root acces?
3) Do you need root to overclock your device, and do you need a custom rom? I saw a video of the Nexus S overclocked to 1.3ghz, and it looked like a custom rom (boot screen was different).
4) Can you receive OTA-updates when rooted? And when having a custom rom installed? And when overclocked?
5) Do you need to root to install home screen replacements like Launcher Pro and ADW Launcher?
6) I saw that rooting 'wipes' all your data? What does that mean exactly?
Thanks in advance!
Androyed said:
Probably tons of questions like these, but I couldn't find the right answers, sorry.
1) What makes the Nexus S easier to root than other devices?
2) When you root, you can install custom roms. What else can you do with root acces?
3) Do you need root to overclock your device, and do you need a custom rom? I saw a video of the Nexus S overclocked to 1.3ghz, and it looked like a custom rom (boot screen was different).
4) Can you receive OTA-updates when rooted? And when having a custom rom installed? And when overclocked?
5) Do you need to root to install home screen replacements like Launcher Pro and ADW Launcher?
6) I saw that rooting 'wipes' all your data? What does that mean exactly?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Other devices rooting is quite an extensive process on the NS its just fastboot oem unlock and then flash a recovery and then a rom. Google isnt trying to lock you out
2.you can do just about anything that isnt allowed in stock, i know thats vague but true
3. yes you need root, custom rom no, custom kernel yea
4.you can receive OTA on stock rooted roms but it will remove root and replace recovery with stock, most roms remove the OTA ability so you dont lose root
5. no
6. what whipes your data is fastboot oem unlock it does this for security purposes and it does what it means gets rid of everything on the "SD card" and "internel memory" you can just copy stuff off the SD portion but as far as everything else like app data game saves and what have you your pretty SOL
So if you've rooted your device, you have to un-root it when a OTA-update comes, and then when you root it again, it will wipe all your data again?
A normal android user like me, would he have a good reason to root his/her device, or is just installing a homescreen replacement enough excitement?
This custom kernel, does it install more than just a different bootscreen? I am going to buy a Nexus S because there isn't messed with Android, but I am interested in overclocking so that I will not get jealous at other dual-core devices. If a custom kernel changes the interface, it is a no-go for me.
Rooting, is it like jailbraking on the iPhone/iPod Touch? All my friends have jailbroken their iPod's and iPhone's, so that they can download most apps for free and install other cool stuff. Is there a way (with or without rooting) to download apps for free on your Android?
^ This question is probably going to stay unanswered. I can say that I'm just asking, and that I will not use it, but then I would lie. I could also say that I haven't got that much money, but then I would also be lying. I could say that I don't have a creditcard, which is true, but there are a lot of creditcard 'simulators'. And I'm probably saying this all to pretend that I'm a super intellegent guy, so that you would think: 'Oh, he doesn't deny he is going to use it, he is smart, I will answer the question', but I'm not intelligent. And I probably said that out of self-pity, in the hope someone will answer the question.
Androyed said:
So if you've rooted your device, you have to un-root it when a OTA-update comes, and then when you root it again, it will wipe all your data again?
A normal android user like me, would he have a good reason to root his/her device, or is just installing a homescreen replacement enough excitement?
This custom kernel, does it install more than just a different bootscreen? I am going to buy a Nexus S because there isn't messed with Android, but I am interested in overclocking so that I will not get jealous at other dual-core devices. If a custom kernel changes the interface, it is a no-go for me.
Rooting, is it like jailbraking on the iPhone/iPod Touch? All my friends have jailbroken their iPod's and iPhone's, so that they can download most apps for free and install other cool stuff. Is there a way (with or without rooting) to download apps for free on your Android?
^ This question is probably going to stay unanswered. I can say that I'm just asking, and that I will not use it, but then I would lie. I could also say that I haven't got that much money, but then I would also be lying. I could say that I don't have a creditcard, which is true, but there are a lot of creditcard 'simulators'. And I'm probably saying this all to pretend that I'm a super intellegent guy, so that you would think: 'Oh, he doesn't deny he is going to use it, he is smart, I will answer the question', but I'm not intelligent. And I probably said that out of self-pity, in the hope someone will answer the question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just going to stop you right there, rooting is not about piracy, if you wanna pirate apps please do look somewhere else
slowz3r said:
Just going to stop you right there, rooting is not about piracy, if you wanna pirate apps please do look somewhere else
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I thought. Thanks for answering the other questions anyway!
slowz3r said:
Just going to stop you right there, rooting is not about piracy, if you wanna pirate apps please do look somewhere else
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that I condone piracy or anything but you can pirate apps without being rooted.... unless you're on AT&T.
I know this because certain applications who are being beta tested (e.g. Trillian Beta) was in .apk format... all you needed was Unknown Sources. Root isn't required to do that
just saying.
zephiK said:
Not that I condone piracy or anything but you can pirate apps without being rooted.... unless you're on AT&T.
I know this because certain applications who are being beta tested (e.g. Trillian Beta) was in .apk format... all you needed was Unknown Sources. Root isn't required to do that
just saying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can not use this information, but you and I know I will. So, thanks, I guess.
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!
I just want to ask some questions, seems like some of these threads are out of date.
My phone came out of box JB, so I need to restore down to ICS to root, then use a program called VooDoo to protect said root and update back to JB?
Unless my Bootloader is unlocked, What are the pro/cons of that, I heard you dont get OTA updates, but I could live without those, we can just download them ourselves right?
SirRudolph said:
I just want to ask some questions, seems like some of these threads are out of date.
My phone came out of box JB, so I need to restore down to ICS to root, then use a program called VooDoo to protect said root and update back to JB?
Unless my Bootloader is unlocked, What are the pro/cons of that, I heard you dont get OTA updates, but I could live without those, we can just download them ourselves right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There have been a lot of misconceptions about unlocked bootloaders in this forum. Unlocking your bootloader doesn't necessarily mean the phone will not be eligible for updates, rather the updates will not install on a modified system. What is your real reason for root? Most people are always looking for the latest update, but mess up some files on their phone and don't have backup, in which case the update will fail.
With the Rogers/fido fiasco, we had people go back to the wrong Rogers version of software, since it was not posted properly on the Motorola firmware download website.
Another con is that your warranty would be totally void. Personally I haven't find the need yet to root this device and have had it for almost 4 months now!
Sent from my XT925 using Tapatalk 2
I wont agree for some people the modifications other people do seem trivial.
I've already rooted though, turns out I did have to do what I said above, now running 4.1.1 with Root
I root because a few applications I use, for instance SetCPU allows me to underclock the processors in my phone while the screen is locked, that saves a bit of battery life. I wish Motorola allowed a smart action trigger for when the phone screen was off though, this would help it even more so to save battery.
I use another app to change the lockscreen sounds, which requires root as well.
I havent looked at possible ROM's on this phone yet, as far as I know developers arent quite getting into this phone as deep as they usually do? Thusly I dont think i'll need to use a custom ROM. Just my own optimizations.
I want to root my phone and I'm also considering Cyanogen mod (or any other OS, I'm open to suggestions). The thing is that I just bought this and it's an AT&T phone, but I'm working on getting it factory unlocked (the request is in with AT&T). If I flash a new OS will I still be able to unlock it or does that require the AT&T OS? If I go to Cyanogen, can I still use cool features like whatever Android SIRI equivalent there is or swype keyboard? I won't ask HOW to root it or install the OS... I've done these before and think I can handle it again without issue
iamgregor said:
I want to root my phone and I'm also considering Cyanogen mod (or any other OS, I'm open to suggestions). The thing is that I just bought this and it's an AT&T phone, but I'm working on getting it factory unlocked (the request is in with AT&T). If I flash a new OS will I still be able to unlock it or does that require the AT&T OS? If I go to Cyanogen, can I still use cool features like whatever Android SIRI equivalent there is or swype keyboard? I won't ask HOW to root it or install the OS... I've done these before and think I can handle it again without issue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly this is not the Q&A section
You must be on stock rom to be able to unlock. So you'll need to do that first.
You can have any app from the PlayStore like swype just like on stock.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk