Database Info

Bricked my phone, got it fixed. Now I'm scared to root.

Long story short: I messed up with flashing a custom rom. But gladly, I got my phone fixed. Now, I wanna root again but I'm scared of rom flashing. I just wanna do the basic benefits of rooting like deleting stock aps and other things.
So what other 'rooting benefits' can I obtain without rom flashing? Or without having the risk of bricking my phone? The rooting process is kinda simple for me since I can use the z4root app.
Help? Anyone?

reyesryanmjaube said:
Long story short: I messed up with flashing a custom rom. But gladly, I got my phone fixed. Now, I wanna root again but I'm scared of rom flashing. I just wanna do the basic benefits of rooting like deleting stock aps and other things.
So what other 'rooting benefits' can I obtain without rom flashing? Or without having the risk of bricking my phone? The rooting process is kinda simple for me since I can use the z4root app.
Help? Anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can obtain lot of goodies, like install applications not coming from the market, i guess, edit system files, remove non needed system applications, do a lot of things, be sure when you flash a rom to have a fully charged battery, its really hard to brick it.

mmmmm ????

depending what phone you have?? Rooting is safe enough, you can "unroot" just as easy! I definitely recommend z4root If you flash another ROM be sure to do lots of research next time!!! If you experience any problems, dont forget google can be your best friend! You can count on the fact you wont be the only one having the same problem

I have LG p500. Basically, I'm now scared of anything that involves CMD. I can install non market apps like the ones from here. So yeah, after Z4root. what now?

These phones are great for bricking, because a lot of times they're easy to fix. Try out themes, custom roms, custom kernels, it's all available to you now.

Can you guide me a bit? Please
Sent from my LG-P500 using XDA App

Oh! I read this thread in the news section. If i understand it correctly it will allow me to uninstall preset apps without cmd?
Nalthos said:
I recently bought a Droid 2 Global and decided to get my feet wet with android development. To familiarize myself with the platform I wrote a simple utility for managing the bloat that came pre-installed on my phone. I thought there might be other people who would get some use out of this so I am posting it here. You will need to be rooted and have busybox installed to use this application. If you used z4root to root your phone then you should have everything you need.
The application is pretty simple. When you start it you are presented with a list of the Bloat that the application recognizes. Each item in the list has a checkbox that indicates whether it is enabled or not. To disable bloat you just uncheck the boxes next to what you don't want and then press the Apply button that appears at the bottom of the screen. You can save what you have disabled as a profile by pressing the options button and then choosing Save Profile. This is convenient because you are going to need to turn all of this bloat back on if you want to receive updates. If you have saved a profile and a new update becomes available you can launch Bloat Manager, press the options button, choose Enable All and then click Apply to get your phone ready for the update. After the update installs you can launch Bloat Manager, press the options button, choose Load Profile and then click Apply to turn the bloat back off.
The following applications can be toggled on or off using Bloat Manager:
Amazon MP3 /system/app/amazonmp3_1_8_14_signed_zipaligned_Signed_2010-09-09_15-23-51.apk
Blockbuster /system/app/Blockbuster.apk
City ID /system/app/CityID.apk
Friend Feed /system/app/FriendFeed.apk
Kindle /system/app/Kindle-1_0_2-OEM-SingleSign_Signed_2010-09-20_17-31-57.apk
My Net /system/app/Mynet.apk
My Verizon /system/app/MyVerizon.apk
News Widget /system/app/NewsWidget.apk
Performance Manager /system/app/PerformanceManager.apk
Skype /system/app/Skype_mobile.live.apk
Social Messaging /system/app/SocialMessaging.apk
Social Share /system/app/SocialShare.apk
VZNavigator /system/app/vnav_6.1.0.160_Droid2Global_rel_PROD_signed.apk
Visual Voice Mail /system/app/Vvm.apk
Weather Widget /system/app/WeatherWidget.apk
World Clock Widget /system/app/WorldClockWidget.apk
When you disable an application using Bloat Manager it simply renames it to .bak. When you re-enable an application it is renamed back to .apk.
Bloat Manager remounts your /system partition as writable in order to make changes to applications. I came up with this list based on what other people have had success with removing, but I have not personally turned off everything on the list. Changing things in your system partition is always dangerous so please be careful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my LG-P500 using XDA App
Sent from my LG-P500 using XDA App

Lol, rooting is so easy a baby could do it. OneClickRoot FTW.

reyesryanmjaube said:
Long story short: I messed up with flashing a custom rom. But gladly, I got my phone fixed. Now, I wanna root again but I'm scared of rom flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing, yo.
Sent from my weak Wildfire, can't wait to trade in for HD2, also, not afraid to root.

So yeah aside from this feature, what else can I do without. Using cmd?
Sent from my LG-P500 using XDA App

Iinstead of asking and waiting for responses, search on the forum or read a sticky or something to expand your knowledge if you aren't comfortable with cmd you probably shouldn't be messing with root privileges. And bricked phones are dead phones, you can only recover from a brick by replacing hardware

xxmonsterx said:
Iinstead of asking and waiting for responses, search on the forum or read a sticky or something to expand your knowledge if you aren't comfortable with cmd you probably shouldn't be messing with root privileges. And bricked phones are dead phones, you can only recover from a brick by replacing hardware
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. Since you put it that way.
But there's just too much. You cant blame me for being like this. I bricked my phone and they replaced the mother board (for free) and I am worried to do this again. I tried learning, I failed. And I don't like to be a wannabe developer of some sort, I just want to maximize my phone to it's potential and do what most people do.
You can say that I haven't exerted too much effort. In that case, maybe you're not the person I should me asking help from. Sorry, I was hurt.

reyesryanmjaube said:
So yeah aside from this feature, what else can I do without. Using cmd?
Sent from my LG-P500 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CMD (command shell in windows,mac or linux) is only used when you change ROMs or unlock the bootloader (the program that loads the ROM) apps and themes have nothing to do with it, you will read ADB a lot which is basically a way to access the whole device remotely, most of this you do on the handset itself. Root is a term the same as apples jailbreak, which gives you complete access to everything (most is protected bloatware (apps) that network providers don't want you to delete, there is also a percentage of protection stopping you messing up bits that bricking your phone! Bricking doesn't mean screen wont work, force closes or not booting...it means DEAD! If see something cool that you fancy doing, research a little first and if you don't know what it is or means...DONT DO IT! Its that simple root is what you make it, it opens a lot of options but there's no rush to get to the end, the you learn doing little bits, the quicker you'll be confident flashing ROMs and maybe even developing your own customisations

reyesryanmjaube said:
Wow. Since you put it that way.
But there's just too much. You cant blame me for being like this. I bricked my phone and they replaced the mother board (for free) and I am worried to do this again. I tried learning, I failed. And I don't like to be a wannabe developer of some sort, I just want to maximize my phone to it's potential and do what most people do.
You can say that I haven't exerted too much effort. In that case, maybe you're not the person I should me asking help from. Sorry, I was hurt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to maximize your phone's full potential you have to deal with thoses things, e.g.: joy 845 comes with the stock rom, which is slow and contains many things not needed, thus you have to flash another rom, better, faster etc...so yeah you have to be a wannabe in the end if you want to do what you want.

Check out Youtube how-to vids on rooting. Some are invaluable, especially the longer ones. Most of these guys take you step by step in detail.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

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] Need help unlocking my phone

Ok, so I hate boring generic ringtones. And plus, I like to have a unique ringtone that no one else would ever use, so that I always know when it's my phone ringing. However, some corporate idiot at Microsoft actually decided that us having the freedom to pick our personal ringtones on our personal phones, is a bad idea. I'd like to punch that guy.
So, anyways, last week my phone told me I needed to update it, and I did hoping that maybe one of these updates would allow me to add ringtones. Nope.
So, I started searching, and found some chevron app that is supposed to add ringtones. I followed the instructions step by step, and it didn't work. These instructions didn't suggest or say there were any requirements for me to have taken action to unlock my phone, so I can only assume whoever put up the instructions are idiots that didn't put complete instructions up, or made a program that doesn't work. Either way, that's quite frustrating.
So, I search, and while I've not found anything that actually states that you definitely need to unlock your phone for the ringtone app to work (It would be nice if someone out there could actually give clear instructions, but no one seems to understand that concept), but from what I gather that's probably what I need to do.
So, I get the chevronwp7 installer, which was a ***** to find, since most links go to the website for the app, which oddly enough doesn't have the app, but does have the ringtone app that doesn't work for me. Finally I find it, and it keeps telling me it can't communicate with the phone.
Now then, a little more searching, and I find some certificates that I need to install on the phone. So I do that. The thing still can't communicate with my phone.
So I search more, and I find that microsoft decided they really don't want me to pick a ringtone, and have blocked this chevron thing from working with their updates.
Who the hell do they think they are? I buy a device, once I pay my money to buy something, don't I have the freedom to do what I want with the device that I now own? I really think these developers that try to control how I use my devices that I own really need to get out of my business! I just want microsoft to leave me and my device that I own alone. But, they didn't, and screwed me over.
So, now I need to find a way to get rid of the update. I could reset my phone, but I've not found anything that clearly tells me if that removes the updates or not, or how to remove the updates.
Also, I installed the windows phone device manager, which looks to be official software that should work, and when I try to use the set ringtones option in there to add ringtones to my device, all I get is unable to connect to work phone (work phone is the name of my phone).
Can someone here offer some clear instructions how I can just get some damn ringtones? Please?
Many thanks in advance.

some corporate idiot at Microsoft actually decided that us having the freedom to pick our personal ringtones on our personal phones said:
Microsoft has no wish to keep you from setting your own ringtones. This feature is coming in the next update and was not included with the release of the OS because Microsoft was trying to get it to market as soon as possible.
So said:
I have no idea where you get this false sense of entitlement.
So said:
You come to XDA for help, yet you call the dedicated people here who work hard to let us make the most of our devices idiots. Just because you are not technically proficient constitutes no fault on our part; that is your own.
It is clear that you are only here for yourself and have no intention to contribute to XDA. Your tone also makes people not want to help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Oscardog777 said:
Microsoft has no wish to keep you from setting your own ringtones. This feature is coming in the next update and was not included with the release of the OS because Microsoft was trying to get it to market as soon as possible.
I have no idea where you get this false sense of entitlement.
You come to XDA for help, yet you call the dedicated people here who work hard to let us make the most of our devices idiots. Just because you are not technically proficient constitutes no fault on our part; that is your own.
It is clear that you are only here for yourself and have no intention to contribute to XDA. Your tone also makes people not want to help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I contribute where I have something to contribute. I didn't call anyone here idiots, but I did express frustration in unclear instructions that weren't complete. I have followed any instructions I have found step by step, I deal with computers and electronics all the time and know what I'm doing. So, if it isn't working, it's because no one has been clear in how to properly do this.
And I don't understand why I"m being criticized for feeling entitled to use something that I paid for. If I knew microsoft was going to lock this thing down to this point, and take away features I had taken for granted, I would have never gotten the thing.
If I have something to contribute to you, I will. I contribute to places all over the internet where I have knowledge or material to contribute. When it comes to this phone, I'm out of my element. It's not that I came here to specifically not contribute, but what do you want from me? If you can get me ringtones, I will definitely express my thankfulness. I would think asking the right questions, and getting a step by step set of instructions put up here would be a contribution to this place, since at this time there is no step by step beginning to end clear to follow instructions on how to get ringtones on a windows phone.
So, once again, please explain how I can do what I am trying to do here. I thought that's what this forum was for.

I understand that you are frustrated, and that's fine. In the future though, try not to take it out on the people that can help you
To answer your question, the tool that allows you to unlock your device, Chevron WP7, only works on OS versions 7004 (the original release version) and 7008 (the pre copy and paste version). Chevron does the same as paying Microsoft $99 to developer unlock your phone, which lets you put home-made apps (like the ones people make here, such as the custom ringtone installer) and apps not in the marketplace on your phone. Since you said you updated your phone, I'm assuming you have the NoDo update, which is OS version 7390 (the update that adds the copy and paste feature to your phone). Unfortunately, there is currently no way to unlock your phone if it is running NoDo, but Zune should have created a backup of your phone that if you restored it would put you back to version 7004 or 7008, which are unlockable.

Ok, thanks, I appreciate your help on this.
I figured out how to run a restore from the Zune, and have done so. However, I still can't get the chevronwp7.exe file to work. The phone is restored to it's previous state, zune is open, the phone is connected, and when I run the file all I get is
"Sorry, I'm having trouble communicating with the phone
- Please make sure it's connected using USB
- Please start the Zune application"
I have met both requirements, it does not work. And I have confirmed that this has OS 7008. I've run the certificate file on the phone, and have set the installer to run as administrator in XP SP3 mode, as a site online suggested. Nothing works, it doesn't work, and I'm following all instructions properly.
What do I need to do to get this to work?
Thanks.

every one just can unlock his/her phone from pre-nodo update...

Have you made sure that you have the phone's screen on and is displaying the home screen where all your tiles are and not the lockscreen?
Sent from my Samsung Focus using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

Oscardog777 said:
Have you made sure that you have the phone's screen on and is displaying the home screen where all your tiles are and not the lockscreen?
Sent from my Samsung Focus using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't do that, as there were no instructions to do that. But, now I have tried to do that, and that has made no difference.

What do I need to do to get this to work?

JonnyGators said:
What do I need to do to get this to work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
somebody who will take your phone and do it for you? I am pretty sure you will get it to work if you take your time, keep reading and trying. Worked for me too.

I've read everything there is out there to do this, and followed every step. I have the phone on a version that is compatible. I have installed the certificates to the phone. I have the chevron installer. I have the phone connected with zune, not as a guest phone. I have zune open. I have the phone out of sleep mode, showing the tile screen. I run the installer. I keep getting that error message that it can't connect to the phone that tells me to connect it via usb (it is) and to run zune (it is).
I've tried everything.
There is something missing from the instructions.
I need further help, which is why I am here. Can someone please help me?

I really wish someone would post some proper instructions or actually get a working procedure posted.
Once again, I have my windows phone on a compatible version with the chevron installer. I downloaded both the certificates and chevron installer. I installed the certificates to the phone. I've synced the phone with zune, it is connected to the computer, and not as a guest. I have the phone on, and on the tile screen. I run the installer, and I still get that same error prompting me to connect the phone with usb and open zune.
I've done everything.
There is something missing.
Are you guys here to help, or just to laugh at others misfortunes? I've done all you've said, it doesn't work.
Can you guys get a working procedure and/or installers please?

what OS are you running (XP? Vista? 7?) and also what version of the os are you running (x32 or x64) on your host computer. I know that when I was trying to unlock my phone that it wouldn't work on my desktop however, it would work on my laptop (both x64 win7). I don't know why, but sometimes switching USB ports also helps with this (some usb ports are lower power than others). Also, don't get mad if you cant get it on the first try. Last resort would be to hard reset your phone.
Are you sure that zune is also running while you are trying to unlock your phone? You should try it while zune is running because that is how the phone knows that it is connected to a computer at all. Also, if your phone says Syncing then you may have better success
I hope this helps a little bit ;-)

you would think there would be 100s of people posting problems with the installation if you were correct and the instructions were clearly poor. I don't see those posts. You apparently tried the obvious. There might just be a registry entry on your machine that prevents you from doing what you want (e.g. USB related) or your Antivirus and Firewall program prevent the connection.
I suggest you try this on an entirely different computer.
edit: Just in case you have an LG phone you can actually unlock it before AND after the NoDo update using the LG registry editor. Directions are listed here.

I am using Windows 7 x64. I have tried multiple usb ports. It is a samsung phone. I have also tried disabling my antivirus, but that didn't help either. Zune is always open, and phone and zune are syncing without problems.
I will try on another computer tomorrow and see what happens.

Ok, I have tried again on a different computer and have the same problem.
Once again, I have followed all instructions as posted. I have my windows phone on a compatible version. I have zune open. I have the phone awake and on the tile screen. I installed the certificates on the phone. I run the chevron installer, and it continues to tell me I need to have zune open and the phone connected with usb, of which I have done both.
I've yet to see any evidence that this program actually works.
I've found several threads around the internet world with people reporting my same problem, with no solution ever found for them. Usually the thread ends up getting hijacked and talking about different issues that aren't mine, and no one solves the initial problem.
Please, could someone get together a set of instructions that works for this process, because this isn't working.
Thanks.

I guess u could try hard resetting your phone (in settings/about) and then trying to unlock 1 more time. Last resort, buy a wp7 dev license and then u can sideload all you want (at a 99$ price, of course). If u don't want to pay that, then try again. Also make sure that the second computer you tried detects your phone as NOT a guest when you try to unlock it. Just keep trying!

before you hard reset try this registry mod. It fixes some usb connection problems for users who are trying to use the device manager. I've had connection problems on my laptop and this fixed it.
good luck
also, please do not make statements like "it's not working". just because it's not working for you doesn't mean you can make a global statement like that. The people who put instructions up here are not trying to lead people into a dead-end like your posts suggest. They are trying to help. Put yourself in a position of somebody who posts a solution which apparently works for most people and then somebody comes back and writes "you must be an idiot". Or in other words. It's working for me and others here, so it must be working for everybody. You must be an "idiot" who cannot follow instructions and you must be doing something wrong. Wouldn't that annoy you? Note that I am using your own description of the situation. All that does is shut the door for any help you could get in the first place. Why would I help somebody who calls me an idiot?

Thanks for that suggestion, I will give that a try.
My purpose in emphasizing that I've followed the instructions step by step is to make it clear that I am doing that. I'm not suggesting that the people that write these procedures are idiots, but I know that often when someone comes along posting issues they are viewed as the idiot. So I just want to make it clear that I've read the sites, I've done the research, I've tried all the suggestions out there, and I have verified I've done everything correctly, just to make sure no one shrugs it off as a id-10-t error, or suggest I need to rtfm.
I apologize if I've come off as insulting the people that have done the work to make what I"m trying to do possible.

try turning off all data related options? enable airplane mode, turn-off wifi, blutooth etc.

[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.

Possible tampering or what?

Ok. Last year someone was able to tunnel into my network at home. Alot of crazy s*** went down. Long story short, I think there's something fishy going on again.. let me explain.
Everytime I get a new phone, laptop, desktop, etc. I start finding a ridiculous amount of hidden files and folders. The PC side is no longer the issue, now its moved to Android, I think?..
The question I want to know, is how can I compare my what my phone should be installing after a factory reset, file wise? I've looked for a list online to compare with and no luck so far. I also found that there is a partition of the internal storage, completely hidden and inaccessible. Like.. I can't see anything. Add that with permissions being changed randomly so I'm not able to take full control over these pesky little buggers.
In short, I'm either wayyyy to high off that last dab, or my phone is being tampered with. What can I do? Here's what I'm working with.
Samsung A21 (SM-S215DL) using Straight Talk. Attached is a screenshot of the SW mumbo jumbo. I really hope someone can help. TIA!

namdrop22 said:
The question I want to know, is how can I compare my what my phone should be installing after a factory reset, file wise? I've looked for a list online to compare with and no luck so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMO nobody can tell you what apps to install after a Factory Reset: it's alone your decision what apps you want to run.

jwoegerbauer said:
IMO nobody can tell you what apps to install after a Factory Reset: it's alone your decision what apps you want to run.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No no. You're missing the question here.

namdrop22 said:
No no. You're missing the question here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May be.
A Factory Reset doesn't install anything, it wipes all user apps and data. A Factory Reset never touches Android OS itself.

Look at the running apps and services, anything utilizating root or kernel or system privileges will not be in that list unless it's using a app to bootstrap but if you have a weird duplicate system app or an app with a strange name could help you narrow it down. if you have usb debugging enabled you may be able to run a logcat as well to see what messages the system is generating.
Does samsung offer any tools to read the boot log? You might find something In that too. Lastly, well you should do this first, check if there are any exploits or vulnerabilities with your phones software and hardware. Google search " chipset-or-software-name-here + escalate vulnerable cve exploit "
Check past software versions too, you could get hit while the vuln is unknown or lesser known then it patches the manufacturers patches.
Can u elaborate on these file systems or folders you say you have that are invisible?

Unless you loaded malware, a trojan etc on to the phone either in data from the PC, email download, an app you installed or a download from the internet.
Even so it would die with a factory reset... so do another factory reset so if you think so.
Then be careful what you allow into it.
Don't let anyone use your phone or access any of your devices ie flashcards, PC etc.

Run
SafetyNet Test - Apps on Google Play
SafetyNet device compatibility test
play.google.com
to check whether phone's Android got tampered or not