Should I root this here Nexus S? - Nexus S Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello friends.
I just bought this phone about 10 minutes ago, coming over from Evo 4G. I understand why everyone would want to root that phone (bloatware), but since there isn't bloatware on this phone, should I root it?
Basically, do the negatives outweigh the positives of rooting. If not, I'll do it.
Thanks!

No.
This phone has no bloat and you have access to all hardware. Stock firmware does have issues but it is overall a good experience and will give you access to your apps/phone/text which is the purpose of the device.
Gain root access to other phones like Evo 4G for purpose of removing bloat or the Nexus One to be able to utilize the trackball to wake.

I would just root it now, pretty sure all the rooting methods wipe your phone so if you change your mind you will lose everything. Actually voodoo color is a good reason to root
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App

Unlocking the bootloader is what wipes all user data so you should do that now.
Of course once bootloader is unlocked then rooting is just a couple if command lines away....
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

I just got one myself. Reading up now on how to get root.

So if I root now, I will lose all my game saves for the games I've been playing? Anyway of backing those up? And some of the Apps will get redownloaded after I sign into my Google account right?
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App

The apps yes the saved data no. Not sure of anyother way to root less backup. Maybe coping your android folder to your desktop
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

SComp23 said:
Hello friends.
I just bought this phone about 10 minutes ago, coming over from Evo 4G. I understand why everyone would want to root that phone (bloatware), but since there isn't bloatware on this phone, should I root it?
Basically, do the negatives outweigh the positives of rooting. If not, I'll do it.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root for overclock, voodoo sound and color, backup and most important, smoothness!
But you will lost your warranty
Sent from my Google Nexus S using XDA Premium App

window7 said:
But you will lost your warranty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you can re-lock the boot loader on the nexus S so it's relatively simple to unroot/return it to stock if you need a warranty repair or want to return it.
Backup is the best reason to root, though if I didn't **** with my phone so much I probably wouldn't need a backup.

what's voodoo??

Sim2 said:
But you can re-lock the boot loader on the nexus S so it's relatively simple to unroot/return it to stock if you need a warranty repair or want to return it.
Backup is the best reason to root, though if I didn't **** with my phone so much I probably wouldn't need a backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If Samsung wants to be picky on you they can read out files showing how many times teh bootloader was locked/unlocked.

I'm bored, so I'm going to root it. What is the best, most user friendly (bug free) ROM for a first time rooter?

SComp23 said:
I'm bored, so I'm going to root it. What is the best, most user friendly (bug free) ROM for a first time rooter?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock Android ROM, as rooting is not related to flashing ROMs.

rentaric said:
Stock Android ROM, as rooting is not related to flashing ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My fault. I want to unlock the bootloader and flash a ROM.

Related

Little clarification and help please

Hi guys! I am switching from a GSIII to this on Tuesday and I know a bit about rooting but I wanted to know what is the main differences between being rooted and having a unlocked bootloader?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Optimizer said:
Hi guys! I am switching from a GSIII to this on Tuesday and I know a bit about rooting but I wanted to know what is the main differences between being rooted and having a unlocked bootloader?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Being rooted allows you to unlock the bootloader which allows all the magic that happens here. If you are getting a hox now make sure it does not come with 4.0.4 installed as there is no root for that yet.
I don't think you have to be rooted to flash a recovery. You just have to unlock your bootloader and flash a recovery via adb command.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Nabeel Kiani said:
I don't think you have to be rooted to flash a recovery. You just have to unlock your bootloader and flash a recovery via adb command.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On AT&T you need to be rooted to unlock the bootloader, as the bootloader unlock is not officially available. But on Rogers, you can unlock the bootloader and install a custom recovery, AFAIK.
In short, root just gives superuser privileges. So you have access to system files, can apply mods and apps that require root (but not flashed in recovery) etc.
Bootloader unlock is required if you want to flash custom ROMs, radios, kernels, custom recovery, etc.
So I am on ATT and I got the one x shipped to me and it will be here tomorrow so there will be no rooting for me until someone finds an exploit I am thinking
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Optimizer said:
So I am on ATT and I got the one x shipped to me and it will be here tomorrow so there will be no rooting for me until someone finds an exploit I am thinking
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm afraid so.
gunnyman said:
I'm afraid so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a root method or a way of at least removing bloat to where maybe I can't have a unlocked bootloader but I would at least like it debloated... has anyone found a way for that yet? lol
Optimizer said:
Is there a root method or a way of at least removing bloat to where maybe I can't have a unlocked bootloader but I would at least like it debloated... has anyone found a way for that yet? lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a negative grasshopper.
gunnyman said:
That's a negative grasshopper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I am willing to donate to whoever finds one!
Optimizer said:
Well, I am willing to donate to whoever finds one!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should politely ask Gunny to make a bounty thread. He absolutely loves them.
Smh
Optimizer said:
Is there a root method or a way of at least removing bloat to where maybe I can't have a unlocked bootloader but I would at least like it debloated... has anyone found a way for that yet? lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can reduce the majority of the bloat in an unrooted stock phone running an ICS firmware by "disabling" the unneeded bloatware system apps by going into the stock app manager, then selecting to view all apps, then pressing on each system bloat app you don't need, and hitting "disable" in the app info dialog that opens up. Disabling the system apps makes them invisible to the system and the app drawer. Thus, they can't be run by you or the system until you enable them again. Thus, they don't bog down your phone and trash up your app drawer.
This works for the majority of the bloat that comes with AT&T. I did this while I was waiting for the famous 1.85 root method. It made my wait considerably more bearable!
Sent from my One X using xda app-developers app

[Q] Rooted but not unlocked

I rooted my device using an app from an old guide long ago. I am still on stock with no custom recovery or rom so basically rooted factory ice cream sandwich. I did one Asus update and used ota root keeper to keep root. Now Asus has pushed me the jellybean update envied I'm not sure the best way to go about rooting and such. The only caveat is I might sell and not sure if I want to unlock the boot loader or not. Should I? And if so which guide do I follow? Thanks all.
100+ views but no help?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Im sorry, but I have no idea how you were able to get root without your device being unlcoked....Very strange
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1633125
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
-- Deleted --
That reply offered little to no help. Please refrain from posting if you don't offer any help.
DRatJr said:
That reply offered little to no help. Please refrain from posting if you don't offer any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No help? Probably because the answers have all been posted long ago and your snarkiness does not help your cause. BTW - Merry Christmas.
Still Charged Up
Reilly1812 said:
No help? Probably because the answers have all been posted long ago and your snarkiness does not help your cause. BTW - Merry Christmas.
Still Charged Up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes probably long ago. But searching through hundreds of pages would do me no good. I am just unsure of what to do in this situation. Which I havent seen others in. Merry Christmas to you too bud
Also, nice going with the "I'm gonna have an attitude but say something seemingly nice at the end" post. Very original of you.
So how about this, should I just unroot with the same tool I used and follow one of the guides to unlock and root with custom recovery and rom? I am on 4.0.3 as of now. Thanks
DRatJr said:
100+ views but no help?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right from the get-go. Regardless...
Ensure superuser binary current.
Having ES File Explorer or another like app is a nice-to-have. Keeps system mounted as r/w if you need to get to system/bin.
You already know about OTA Rootkeeper. 100% stock required. Temp unroot.
Apply OTA updates. Reenable root with OTA Rootkeeper. Do NOT manually apply updates - you WILL lose root.
That is the process. Go back to the beginning and work your way forward to find all of the posts. You will see what worked and where people messed up. Don't take my word for it - it's out there.
Still Charged Up
So what about if I want recovery and roms?
Unlock is your only option.
Still Charged Up
Ok so I should just unroot with this app and then follow one of the guides?
On a train for 2 hours with signal dropping out often. Do you want to stay stock or not? Just asking - no sarcasm here?
Still Charged Up
Reilly1812 said:
On a train for 2 hours with signal dropping out often. Do you want to stay stock or not? Just asking - no sarcasm here?
Still Charged Up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As in stock rooted with unlocked bootloader and custom recovery? Or stock as in using OTA rootkeeper and updating?
I am stock, locked and rooted. I am not your guide to go unlocked and custom roms.
Still Charged Up
Reilly1812 said:
I am stock, locked and rooted. I am not your guide to go unlocked and custom roms.
Still Charged Up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok well if I go stock, locked, and rooted, will I be able to go unlocked, custom recovery and custom rom later? As in if I update to JB then want to go unlocked later?
If, and I mean if, the asus boot unlocker works for you. does not for a lot of people. appears to be a serial# issue at asus. if you can unlock you can do anything you want - jb or ics.
Still Charged Up
Reilly1812 said:
If, and I mean if, the asus boot unlocker works for you. does not for a lot of people. appears to be a serial# issue at asus. if you can unlock you can do anything you want - jb or ics.
Still Charged Up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so how do I make sure my SU binary is current?

[Q] Root or wait?

Hy people...
I'm finnaly got the JB in my phone... It was hard and complicated to get it... and that's why I'm resisting to get the ICS back to keep the root in JB.
Now the question: Do you think that someone will figure out how to root the JB without going back to ICS? or it is impossible?
Thanks a lot!
Maybe. I couldn't wait so I did return to ics to root properly. Softbricked my phone but managed to fix it. No regrets!
Sent from my RAZR HD using xda app-developers app
root, its worth it
Borderpatrol1987 said:
root, its worth it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah... I get 4.0 back... rooted... installed ota rootkeeper... and get 4.1... then... it fails...
what to do?? the Su file is there... but I don't know what it means...
I think you need to unroot with ota root keeper before upgrading. Keep a backup!
Sent from my RAZR HD using xda app-developers app
unlock bootloader that best way , I just done it and got the CM10 installed which is much nicer and faster.
steiger said:
I think you need to unroot with ota root keeper before upgrading. Keep a backup!
Sent from my RAZR HD using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah... that's what i did... i kept a backup... and temporaly unrooted the phone...
jasonnew said:
unlock bootloader that best way , I just done it and got the CM10 installed which is much nicer and faster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm never put a CM on any phone... the last experience i had with custom roms was with my old xperia play...
what is better on CM10?
renanmmagalhaes said:
yeah... that's what i did... i kept a backup... and temporaly unrooted the phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try resetting your phone to factory settings and then download and install the OTA from the configurations menu.
Keep in mind that resetting the phone to factory settings removes su, so keep a backup, unroot the phone and then reset the configurations.
Maybe you'll have to root again using the utility after doing the factory reset.
I, too, had to try many times before nailing it.
Borderpatrol1987 said:
root, its worth it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just out of curiosity, what is worth it? I just got the phone, and I've rooted every other phone I've had. So far, this seems like the first one I don't need to root. I'm on shared data, which means I get wifi hotspot for free. I don't need titanium backup this time. The JB Moto UI seems light-weight, fast, and the battery lasts forever, so a custom ROM doesn't seem necessary. I'm not trying to be a smart alec, just honestly curious as to what rooting can do for me?
fester30 said:
Just out of curiosity, what is worth it? I just got the phone, and I've rooted every other phone I've had. So far, this seems like the first one I don't need to root. I'm on shared data, which means I get wifi hotspot for free. I don't need titanium backup this time. The JB Moto UI seems light-weight, fast, and the battery lasts forever, so a custom ROM doesn't seem necessary. I'm not trying to be a smart alec, just honestly curious as to what rooting can do for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For you there is probably little benefit, though it's always good to keep titanium backups, and it's great for freezing problem apps you never use and don't want to remove. I also use Nova launcher and several other apps that require root for full functionality.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using xda app-developers app
fester30 said:
Just out of curiosity, what is worth it? I just got the phone, and I've rooted every other phone I've had. So far, this seems like the first one I don't need to root. I'm on shared data, which means I get wifi hotspot for free. I don't need titanium backup this time. The JB Moto UI seems light-weight, fast, and the battery lasts forever, so a custom ROM doesn't seem necessary. I'm not trying to be a smart alec, just honestly curious as to what rooting can do for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im in the same exact boat. I have had every other phone rooted but i just dont see the need on this one. Limited dev work from what i can see. Already have a great battery. Now we just wait for a Moto Nexus Soon

Before purchasing this phone from Verizon

I want to know am I able to root and ROM this thing? I've done it to many phones before. It's not locked down or is it?
Thanks!
Scott
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
You're definitely able to unlock and root this baby. The latest JB OTA just makes it slightly more difficult to unlock but it's still possible. If you get it and it still runs ICS, unlock and root and don't take that OTA.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Scottay5150 said:
I want to know am I able to root and ROM this thing? I've done it to many phones before. It's not locked down or is it?
Thanks!
Scott
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The last time I checked all android based phones have a method to root and this phone is no different. If you check both android development sections you WILL see ROMs there to flash. Also if an android phone comes with an locked bootloader then there is a method to unlock it. This phone comes with a locked bootloader but there is an app for that.
Scottay5150 said:
I want to know am I able to root and ROM this thing? I've done it to many phones before. It's not locked down or is it?
Thanks!
Scott
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If there was only like some sort of forum-like site that would give you that info....that would be pretty cool. One can dream though. :silly:
Thanks to an African-Canadian Sock Monkey, we can unlock the bootloader.
a quick look in the development thread would of answered this, but yes, it's VERY simple to root and ROM this phone (coming from HTC phones)
Very simple - did mine while sitting at work goofing around...There's more and more ROMs available every day and you can get support for ANYTHING from all the awesome people here. I'm new to modding phones and I'm so impressed
Just an added note to thank all at XDA Developers who helped my unlock and root my HTC Thunderbolt and my current Galaxy S3.
There's really little need to root and flash the S3 other than to remove VZW's bloatware and I appreciate that but XDA Developers are essential to the Thunderbolt, it required rooting and flashing to make it function properly!
jmxc23 said:
Also if an android phone comes with a locked bootloader then there is a method to unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell that to Motorola owners.
xs11e said:
There's really little need to root and flash the S3 other than to remove VZW's bloatware !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to disagree with that statement. Rooting and ROMing, is absolutely necessary, if you can't stand SuckWiz.
spotmark said:
Tell that to Motorola owners.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No kidding. They are locked up like Fort Knox on steroids.
They unlocked the dev version of a phone and the PhotonQ

how long before someone figures out how to root this phone?

how long before someone figures out how to root this phone? I can't buy it unless it's rooted. thanks!
youphone said:
how long before someone figures out how to root this phone? I can't buy it unless it's rooted. thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the real question is how long before someone finds a software exploit that allows S-Off.
I honestly think we have a long, long wait, if we ever see it.
Just my opinion.
Mike02z said:
I think the real question is how long before someone finds a software exploit that allows S-Off.
I honestly think we have a long, long wait, if we ever see it.
Just my opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I read somewhere that it will be nearly impossible to root this phone....
GPE or developer's edition isn't for Verizon, so I guess this means no HTC One M8 for me.
It's never nearly impossible to root
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Who knows. Silly question.
Hopefully someone will
Sent from my VS980 4G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Im pretty content with stock ATM. Actually enjoying blinkfeed now and sense 6 ain't too shabby. That being said I'd love a good rom like viper.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
wtoj34 said:
Im pretty content with stock ATM. Actually enjoying blinkfeed now and sense 6 ain't too shabby. That being said I'd love a good rom like viper.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sent the Viper team a System dump the day of release. Once we have a method of unlock, I doubt Verizon support will be far behind. (And I'll be beta testing it...)
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I'm kind of wondering how long it will take and if it will get done? I'm coming from the Note3, which had terrible developer support because of the boot loader, and I don't want the same thing to happen here. I paid full retail, but I'm thinking of returning;
I feel like two days in if we don't have root yet, this thing is going to be tough to crack.
Every other phone I had, had root pretty much in the first day.
I'm not sure what to do.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using xda app-developers app
PhilPan said:
I'm kind of wondering how long it will take and if it will get done? I'm coming from the Note3, which had terrible developer support because of the boot loader, and I don't want the same thing to happen here. I paid full retail, but I'm thinking of returning;
I feel like two days in if we don't have root yet, this thing is going to be tough to crack.
Every other phone I had, had root pretty much in the first day.
I'm not sure what to do.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you kidding? Two days for a phone chipset that had like 10 iterations of security? I will bet that no one will get a root exploit unless it comes in the form of s-off because its silly to have root without s-off on HTC phones. Beups,jcase or whoever is working on the phone likely have root exploits already (and they always save one or two for a rainy day) and are not going to release it on it's own. Be patient, stop asking for ETAs.
How is root only different on HTC devices vs other OEMs?
Sent from my HTC One M8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Crooke356 said:
How is root only different on HTC devices vs other OEMs?
Sent from my HTC One M8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to be know too. Coming from Samsung Note2
Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Androider4Life said:
I'd like to be know too. Coming from Samsung Note2
Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well for one root only won't allow us an insecure kernel to be flashed. That means /system write protection will still be in place.
Unlock allows you to flash custom recovery and kernels.
S-off let's you do all (even firmware downgrades)
Sent from my HTC6600LVW using Tapatalk
dottat said:
Well for one root only won't allow us an insecure kernel to be flashed. That means /system write protection will still be in place.
Unlock allows you to flash custom recovery and kernels.
S-off let's you do all (even firmware downgrades)
Sent from my HTC6600LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So then what is "root only" able to do? Especially the type we know have available that only roots after a minute after a reboot so that first minute on reboot you are not rooted. Makes me think rooted apps/tweaks won't work right since after boot they can't go into effect since root hasn't kicked in yet???
deeznuts said:
So then what is "root only" able to do? Especially the type we know have available that only roots after a minute after a reboot so that first minute on reboot you are not rooted. Makes me think rooted apps/tweaks won't work right since after boot they can't go into effect since root hasn't kicked in yet???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lot won't work right. Write protection will revert most changes back after a reboot. Root can be effective for some changes that don't need to persist a reboot. Just all depends on what you use root for. Non-system app data back-up/restore is a good example.
Sent from my HTC6600LVW using Tapatalk
dottat said:
A lot won't work right. Write protection will revert most changes back after a reboot. Root can be effective for some changes that don't need to persist a reboot. Just all depends on what you use root for. Non-system app data back-up/restore is a good example.
Sent from my HTC6600LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So basically anything that needs root at startup won't work. So basically this method of root is only good to maybe copy internal files to external sd card bypassing that kit Kat crap?
deeznuts said:
So basically anything that needs root at startup won't work. So basically this method of root is only good to maybe copy internal files to external sd card bypassing that kit Kat crap?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Until we figure out a method to disable write protection that's pretty much gonna be it. Write protection on this phone is just as much a pain in the ass as it was on the one and one max.
It will happen though. That's the only thing we know for certain.
Sent from my HTC6600LVW using Tapatalk
dottat said:
Until we figure out a method to disable write protection that's pretty much gonna be it. Write protection on this phone is just as much a pain in the ass as it was on the one and one max.
It will happen though. That's the only thing we know for certain.
Sent from my HTC6600LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. Thank you for explaining. I was always spoiled before and HTC devices I had were simple s-Off or everything but s-Off so could still do just about anything. Just gotta be patient but honestly surprised how fast we got this temp root only already! In sure the development will start kicking in.
deeznuts said:
Ok. Thank you for explaining. I was always spoiled before and HTC devices I had were simple s-Off or everything but s-Off so could still do just about anything. Just gotta be patient but honestly surprised how fast we got this temp root only already! In sure the development will start kicking in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The biggest hurdle for us is the fact we cannot even use HTC dev to boot loader unlock. That's why we now have to wait to get a working s-off method. Its only a matter of time.
Sent from my HTC6600LVW using Tapatalk
I'd think you should be able to HTCdev unlock the bootloader and do what I did on my old EVO 3D which was to flash the boot.img separately through fastboot. What am I saying though? It's been a while since I have had a HTC device besides my sister's media-only EVO running CM7.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
yattaro said:
I'd think you should be able to HTCdev unlock the bootloader and do what I did on my old EVO 3D which was to flash the boot.img separately through fastboot. What am I saying though? It's been a while since I have had a HTC device besides my sister's media-only EVO running CM7.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Adaway works again now...when you haven't seen an AD in an app in years they are HUGELY annoying....
and I was able to move my app data from my DNA to the M8 from MyBackup Pro..so there are some huge perks with this root.
And conversely being able to back up APK + DATA and your sense home screen layouts will come in handy when the inevitable S-OFF comes and we need to wipe our devices

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