I'm lost >_<'
Sorry, but I don't know where to start. My friend texted me a link to this forum so I could get help. I've already spent hours, and I still don't know what I should do.
So far:
1.) I was hoping on finding a way to remove all this useless AT&T Crap, HTC Likes, HTC, Blockbuster, etc. Is there a way without rooting my phone
which brings me to...
2.) Is there a way to effectively organize the all apps section?
3.) I noticed that the battery is really low and barely lasts a day. Would underclocking the cpu be possible to save battery life if I root my phone?
4.) My friend said I should root my phone. I've been looking around the past two days about it, but I'm still confused; there's like all these various ROMs. I'm assuming this is similar to the idea of various distros that derive from Ubuntu/Debian? But my main concern is the idea of rooting something itself. I use Ubuntu and what I've learned from forums and using it is that being a superuser for the whole time is a big no-no. I know it's just a phone, but I've heard of phones being hacked so I don't know if rooting is safe... Is it? How does a rooted OS generally work? Is there like a way to not have root access at all the times (like a guest account) and use root via typing in the admin password?
5.) Warranty - So I have 30 days to return the phone if I don't like it (which is unlikely ). Anyway, say something bad happens (e.g. I flash some ROM and I can't figure out how to fix my GPS or something). Is there a way to get it back to a stock, unrooted ROM incase something goes wrong? In other words, if for any reason I want to (and can) return my phone, is there a way to get back to unrooted-unmodified Froyo?
6.) Speaking of flashing, I've read terms about a goldcard, S-Off, and clockwork. The first two has to do with the sim card and making the phone unlocked I think? If so, is it necessary to have these/do these things in order to root a phone? I don't care much about unlocking my phone; I'm stuck on AT&T (I don't pay for the plan; my older bro does). As for clockwork, I think it has to do with recovery of something? Can someone elaborate on this for me
7.) Flashing - I've read about flashing ROM's but I also heard about flashing the radio and it being more, if not very risky. If I want to root my phone, is it necessary to flash the radio?
8.) Kernels - I know kernels have to do with a phone's performance, battery consumption, etc. but I see different kernels being used with different ROM's. Are they interchangeable or are the custom ROM's built around each kernel making it unique?
9.) IF I do decide to root my phone, which custom ROM should I use? I really like the HTC sense so I'm hesitant to change if I lose it.
Sorry, I know this is too a lot. I read the stickies, but there's only two question marks under "Guides | Rooting: (The guides to the basics)." Hope someone can answer these questions
Start here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=961406
No, you can't remove at&t apps without rooting.
Rooting is fine. You're not personally messing around with system files just casually using your phone. They're modified when you install roms, kernels and radios.
I'v jailbroken itouches several times flawlessly so the concept of rooting is not new to me. I understand what has to be done and what it does for the device, positively anyway. I'v had the G2x for about 2 weeks now and i'm thinking about rooting it, but i don't want to do it without knowing all of the cons. I know i would be voiding my warranty, and that i might not get direct updates from my service provider anymore. I'v also read a lot about people rooting it without error, but for some reason after rooting the phone crashes. i took the risk of jailbreaking my itouch because i had it for 2 years already when i decided to jailbreak it, and because it's basically still just an mp3 player. This time it would be a phone which is more important to me. im also aware that gingerbread is coming out soon, so if someone could explain to me what the negatives are or at least point me in the right direction if this thread is already answered i would appreciate it.
With my phone, unrooting is easy if you know what you're doing, so I don't worry about the warranty part. The usual horror stories about rooted phones are usually due to user error. If you don't know what you're doing and don't fully read the instructions, you can end up doing some damage that is either difficult or impossible to fix. I think some people root their phones just for wireless tether, ad blocking, screenshots, or some "root only" app they see in the market. Then they decide they want to change their status bar icons or something and flash something that was not made for their phone or the stock rom... or whatever the situation may be.
My point is, if you know what you're doing you'll be fine. You should be able to go back to stock, unrooted - I'm not familiar with your phone, so I'm speaking in generalities. There are already Gingerbread roms out for many devices that haven't received official updates yet, even for phones that will never receive an official 2.3 update.
The only downside of rooting that I can think of is that you won't be able to put your phone down. Ultimately the choice is yours. If you don't want to put the time into learning, don't do it. It's a ton of fun though, I couldn't imagine not being rooted... there's so much more available for rooted phones.
My Evo + xda Premium App = This post.
Hey so I have read a lot of the threads on rooting but I think (hope) mine is a bit original for you. I am one of those skittish goody-two-shoes type people who have a bad record of breaking their electronics. My family is updating their tmobile plan in August and I am planning on getting a lg g2x. It seems like a great phone that'll be able to keep up with the advancements of Android for a while. However I have heard the battery life is really bad (as it is for most androids) and that there are all of these great methods I could use (setCPU, Battery Calibration, etc.) and I can get rid of ads on my apps (adfree) and even use ROMs and Themes!! This sounds great EXCEPT all of the above requires rooting. So my question is, if I install Battery Calibration, setCPU, adfree, etc, while rooted and then just unroot, will they all still work??? Also, in the case that this is possible, if I have any problems with my phone and have to send it in for service, as long as it's unrooted I don't have to delete any of the apps to put it back under warranty do I? And (yes there's more) can I continuously root/unroot as I please in order to change themes and ROMs and even updating the android system once my phone is out of date (though I hope I'm not obsolete within 2 yrs) and no longer gets updates from my phone company? I know superoneclick is supposed to be really easy but as I don't have the phone yet I was wondering how fast it actually is as well.
Thanks for all of your help!!
Hmm....lots of questions young one, well 1st of all by rooting it technically voids the warranty, and yes for the programs to work properly you will need to keep it rooted because some off them actually need root access to tweak the device.
Sent from my mind
scarlet_fire said:
Hey so I have read a lot of the threads on rooting but I think (hope) mine is a bit original for you. I am one of those skittish goody-two-shoes type people who have a bad record of breaking their electronics. My family is updating their tmobile plan in August and I am planning on getting a lg g2x. It seems like a great phone that'll be able to keep up with the advancements of Android for a while. However I have heard the battery life is really bad (as it is for most androids) and that there are all of these great methods I could use (setCPU, Battery Calibration, etc.) and I can get rid of ads on my apps (adfree) and even use ROMs and Themes!! This sounds great EXCEPT all of the above requires rooting. So my question is, if I install Battery Calibration, setCPU, adfree, etc, while rooted and then just unroot, will they all still work??? Also, in the case that this is possible, if I have any problems with my phone and have to send it in for service, as long as it's unrooted I don't have to delete any of the apps to put it back under warranty do I? And (yes there's more) can I continuously root/unroot as I please in order to change themes and ROMs and even updating the android system once my phone is out of date (though I hope I'm not obsolete within 2 yrs) and no longer gets updates from my phone company? I know superoneclick is supposed to be really easy but as I don't have the phone yet I was wondering how fast it actually is as well.
Thanks for all of your help!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. If you install the root required apps, root, then unroot, they will stop working. Once an app requires root and your phone is not rooted, even if it was before but it's not now, they will not work.
2. There are many one click root apps. e.g. z4root and universal androot.
3. You will have to unroot and remove the root required apps to put it back under warranty. I say this because if you leave them, then your provider will know that you must have rooted your phone to put them on it in the first place. (It would be like sending an Iphone for servicing to AT&T with Cydia installed. They will know that you jailbroke it.
4 Superoneclick does work fast. It may take up to five minutes (depends on your phone model), but remember what I said in #2. Good luck.
Hello there... this is probably going to get laughed at by the more experienced users on the site, but what the hell, here it goes.
I've had a Droid 2, an HTC Thunderbolt, a Dell Streak 7 tablet, and now, my pretty new TF300 tablet. I've never rooted any of them (the Thunderbolt looks scary as f*** to root), mainly because I was scared. I want to unlock all the capabilities of my device, but the idea of bricking anything I have just scares the piss out of me.
I've heard people say that the Transformer (not necessarily the TF300, mind you) is fairly easier to root than other devices because ASUS provides you the software you need to root it. Well, to my surprise, that software was nowhere to be found when my tab showed up. So I guess it's up to me to seek out the details and do some hardcore tab rooting... but damn am I scared.
Bottom line: I'm verrry inexperienced at rooting things... I probably couldn't root my way out of a paper bag. I see the lingo people use in the topics where they talk about rooting their device, and I am just totally lost. I guess I'm looking for input from others who were new to rooting until they hit this device, or input from pros about how risky it is, the ease of the rooting process, a more in-depth explanation of the rooting process... anything. The more, the better. Anything anybody could say to help me nut up enough to root my device, I'm looking forward to hearing it.
All you have to do, if you're still on the OG firmware (.17), is find the app called Sparkyroot, open it, and follow the directions. There is no danger of a brick by using Sparkyroot.
Note that if you've updated to .26 or .29 firmware, you'll have to downgrade to root, which could potentially cause a brick. But really, as long as you can control your attention span and follow directions, you should be fine.
Check out this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1645029
I'm a computer programmer and I rooted only because I wanted to remap the keys on the dock. If you are so hesitant, and don't have a good reason to root, maybe your tablet is just fine the way it is. If you don't have a good reason to root, but you have time to kill, and want to learn new things, then it may be a good thing to do.
As a first safe step, on your laptop you can just install the android sdk with platform-tools, install the usb driver for tf300t, and see if you see anything when you type "adb devices" in command prompt. Maybe doing this will give you a better idea on things that you'll need to do.
Honestly, I'd wait until you have a real need or reason to root. You say you want to "unlock all the capabilities" of your TF300. But what do you mean by that? Is there a specific app you want to run?
I rooted my phone because I wanted free WiFi tethering. I haven't rooted my TF300 because I haven't yet run into any increased functionaliy that I feel I really need or want.
Another thing to consider is that OTA updates can fail or brick a rooted device (or you may simply lose root). So if you want an OS update, you sometimes have to flash an older, un-rooted stock ROM on your device, then take the upgrade. A bit of a hassle. I expect that, since the TF300 is so new, we'll be seeing a few OTA's over the coming months. Until things settle down I, personally, am happy as is.
You're gonna think this is so stupid... but the reason I want to root is so I can run an app called GameCIH, which would help me cheat in a game. lol
In my own defense, the developers have made that game so difficult that your only real hope is to buy in-game currency for real money. Enough other people say, "Cheating is wrong, but in this case, it's pretty warranted."
Lol, you have piqued my curiosity. What game? And its stupid easy on .17. I did it about 4 hours after receiving. If you wish to waive your warranty, you can unlock, install CWR(clock work recovery), then flash the SU(super user) zip.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
The game is called Defender II from Droidhen. If you go to Play, you'll see a whole poop ton of one-stars, people complaining that the game basically became impossible after the last few updates.
Now, since I'm such a know-nothing when it comes to stuff like this, I don't feel bad asking: I saw that Asus released a bootloader thing for unlocking the TF300 today. Is unlocking different from rooting, and can I hack that game having just used the bootloader apk? I tried using the GameCIH app, but it told me my device wasn't rooted so I couldn't use it.
And to answer somebody's earlier question, I have provided my device with all the firmware updates supplied it over the air by Asus. Does the bootloader app I downloaded tonight make that any less problematic?
-Tim
Here are my reasons to root:
- app backups/restore with saves (mostly games )
- tune settings (look at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1641219)
- some apps require root access for more functionality (nova laucher, titanium backup)
- I'm a linux user so I like having god-like control over my system even if I don't use it offen
- and many more...
The only reason to not do this is loosing your warranty.
At this moment I have root only in my phone (Galaxy S II) but I'm also thinking about rooting my TF300T
^^
Another good reason would be to overclock imo. I've seen threads on XDA where people are getting 1.5 or 1.6 from root/overclocking, which is +EV imo.
If you can follow directions, you should be ok. At some point, everyone roots for the first time. I had no clue about any of this either (and I'm still not the best, especially with adb commands on the comp) but once I rooted my first device, I found it to be pretty interesting and now I do it with anything I get.
I'd advise you to read the root threads thoroughly, you will see a lot of Q&A which will show you where people tend to get stuck in the process. You also might want to just use it as-is for a week or two and make sure you don't have any defects, since your warranty could be void, and you wouldn't want to find out about an unrelated problem later that you can't get fixed.
I'm extra hesitant because it sounds like the downgrade is more dangerous than anything else, and damn it, in every thread, they use so many technical terms that I don't understand...
Make sure the blob file is in there with ADB tools and *circus music playing in my head*
Haha, trust me, I know where you are coming from. Rooting may be a good place to start actually, if you truly screw it up I don't think they will be able to know that it's rooted and will still cover it (someone else can chime in here if I'm wrong). Unlocking, however, apparently sends them information and will void your warranty for sure.
The only way to learn it is to do it
Then again, if things are working well for you, leave it as-is, won't hurt anything to run it stock.
Yeah, if that's the case though, then I really wish I didn't unlock it... I thought it was like rooting but it did nothing for me except kill my warranty and OTA updates... so until I nut up enough to root it, I guess I'm stuck on .29. Not a bad update, mind you, but as they keep upping the tab, I'm going to be stuck in the stone age. That kind of sucks.
Can someone reply to this ASAP:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1668173
Does following the steps in that post allow for a much easier root than I would have had to do less than a week ago? It sounds like it's a cinch to install CWM onto the tab (which, by the way, I know zip-**** about), and then after that, it says to "flash" a file to achieve root.
And on a side note, what the Bejesus does it mean to flash a file?
If you are unlocked, then yes that's the best way to go. Just to confirm, when you boot up, it says "bootloader unlocked" in the top left?
Flashing a file means to install the .zip from CWM.
In the top left, it says "Device UnLocked" or something like that. It's not near me at the moment, but yeah, it definitely says the word unlocked when I boot her up.
And thank you for the clarification
Sack up, and Root it!
It's FUN!
nordis,
I've flashed CWM onto my tab and I'm navigating it now, but I'm still unclear about how to root it.
The step says:
"After flashing CWM, you might also want root. It's easy, just flash the attached zip "
How! What?! Damn it! Can somebody detail what he means, or if I have to enter a specific command using my computerizer, what do I have to input? Because if I have to guess, I'll do it wrong, and this bastard will detonate in my arms.
Edit: I'm also in the process now of backing up my device. I don't know if rooting makes me wipe everything, so why the hell not. If I'm making a mistake doing this, then someone post back right away and I'll fling my tablet at the wall and hope for the best.
Edit: I did it! I'm rooted! I'm the smartest man alive! Nobody else needs to answer any questions I asked about this then
See, it ain't so bad. Pretty fun figuring this stuff out really. Now get to work rooting your phone and all your friends phones and tablets immediately
-T-mobile SGS2 Hercules
Tim 13 said:
I've flashed CWM onto my tab and I'm navigating it now, but I'm still unclear about how to root it.
The step says:
"After flashing CWM, you might also want root. It's easy, just flash the attached zip "
How! What?! Damn it! Can somebody detail what he means, or if I have to enter a specific command using my computerizer, what do I have to input? Because if I have to guess, I'll do it wrong, and this bastard will detonate in my arms.
Edit: I'm also in the process now of backing up my device. I don't know if rooting makes me wipe everything, so why the hell not. If I'm making a mistake doing this, then someone post back right away and I'll fling my tablet at the wall and hope for the best.
Edit: I did it! I'm rooted! I'm the smartest man alive! Nobody else needs to answer any questions I asked about this then
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can anyone explain what flashing CWM is and how it's relevant to rooting? It has nothing to do with unlocking the tablet right?
Hi all,
after having read a lot on different accessible Android tablets, I have decided to purchase a T700. Seeing the speed on YouTube and reading about this device have convinced me to make that step.
Now, the order is placed, but receipt is still a few days away, I am reading this site and have the feeling that actually the device is not so smooth when kept original. I do wish to have a smooth working device but keep away from as much flashing as possible.
As my signature might indicate, I have some flashing experience, but I still feel myself noob for each and every new device I get.
My Desire HD has always been stock, not even rooted.
My OneX+ is rooted and unlocked after a short while, I use TitaniumBackup and deleted some Bloatware, but have no wish to flash any custom roms.
I just feel that flashing a device new and new to get it perfect is aking too much time. My rooted and unlocked OneX+ is fast enough, no tweaking needed.
This is the state I would like my T700 to be in. Fast and smooth with allowance to have the device do what I want.
Means I do want root, but if not necessary would not like to unlock / flash or anything else.
Can You advice me on the steps I should or should not do to get such state.
-should I make sure not to use any OTA after receipt
-should I root after receipt and upgrade to JB after that (and eventually root once more)
I will be reading around more before I will get my hands on the device, but I would really like to make the correct steps.
I'd be grateful for your opinions.
Thanks in advance,
Ruud
To be honest, the TF700 does have some performance issues with the stock firmware. I would *highly* recommend that you install a custom ROM - more specifically, I'd recommend the "CleanROM Inheritance" custom ROM specifically for your TF700, which will make it *very* fast and smooth.
Of course, in order to install a custom ROM, such as CleanROM Inheritance, you will need to unlock the bootloader on your device, which *will* void your warranty! If that is a concern (it was for me), I would recommend a third-party warranty service such as SquareTrade. With a coupon, you can get 2 years of coverage (including "accidental coverage") for about $80. This way, if you do brick your device while trying to flash a custom ROM, you will be covered.
Trust me, $80 is a small price to pay for complete peace-of-mind for 2 years, especially considering the performance gain with CleanROM. Hell, even if I run the TF700 over with my car, it will still be covered under warranty...
Just my opinion, of course!
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2
Hi,
Thanks, although this was not exactly what I wanted to hear.
So even if I would unpack and let all OTA updates run up to JB, give it a complete refresh, I would still be unhappy with the performance, right ?
The insurance is nice, but as I am to use it in Russia, I would not know if I am covered for these things.
It is actually not the fact that I am afraid to loose warranty. All devices I did unlock were done after reading the different threads here and I was always lucky to get the job done without serious issues. My OneX+ is still brandnew and I presume I do not have warranty anymore anyway as I rooted and unlocked it already.
What I was hoping for is to get a smooth device without the need to go through this process, I guess your answer says I am not .
regards,
Ruud
Before doping the OTA updates use NVflash. Eventos though you are no considering flashing ROMs now it will be a good insurance in the case you change tour mind in the future.
Enviado de meu Galaxy Nexus usando o Tapatalk 2
raladoshow said:
Before doping the OTA updates use NVflash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be more exact: version 9.4.5.26 is the last version that can be used to *prepare* NVFlash access. To use NVFlash on the TF700, you need a tool called "wheelie" and a blob file with data extracted from your device (it's encrypted with a device-specific key). Later bootloaders are locked down, even after unlocking the device, so it is no longer possible to obtain this file. So before upgrading anything, be sure to read about the procedure on http://androidroot.mobi/t3_nvflash/ .
There is also a thread in the development section that explains the details.
Hi guys,
these looks like very good advises. Before reading in to them, let me say ; "Thanks" !
regards,
Ruud