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[Q] Just got my Nexus S! Should I Root it?

Hi, I just got my Nexus S, this is my first Android device, I've been an iPhone user for the last 3 years.
So my question is:
should I root it right now?
or should I just play with stock Android for a while?
if root: what should I install/do with it?
Thanks.

wilee1928 said:
Hi, I just got my Nexus S, this is my first Android device, I've been an iPhone user for the last 3 years.
So my question is:
should I root it right now?
or should I just play with stock Android for a while?
if root: what should I install/do with it?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, there is no reason not to root it. If you root you can do whatever you want. I suggest you check out the different apps, roms, kernels, or mods you can get because there are far too many choices and different kinds of things you can do with root for anyone to tell you what or how should you use it.

kenvan19 said:
Well, there is no reason not to root it. If you root you can do whatever you want. I suggest you check out the different apps, roms, kernels, or mods you can get because there are far too many choices and different kinds of things you can do with root for anyone to tell you what or how should you use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i forgot another thing.
if i root it, is there a way to "unroot" it? just in case there is something wrong with the phone and needs repair (warranty).

wilee1928 said:
i forgot another thing.
if i root it, is there a way to "unroot" it? just in case there is something wrong with the phone and needs repair (warranty).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Making it seem untainted is as easy as flashing a stock rom and relocking the bootloader.

Always yes.
root.

I might suggest playing with the stock android for a bit first since this is your first android device. That way you can get acquainted and get a feel of what you want or expect from a custom rom or applications that require root.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Look around and see if of interest you then root.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Rooting gives you access to some incredibly powerful and useful applications that many of us can't live without.
There's really no reason not to root. It's stupid simple to do, and easily reversed with a few terminal commands to delete the su binary, busybox and its symlinks and the superuser.apk. I don't believe it's even an issue with warranty service. Google's endorsed rooting and hacking the phone (thanks kevnan for shoving that one down my throat again last night), and part of why they made it so easy to do.
Until recently, if you wanted to root, it was really a bad idea not to do it right away because the earlier methods (still) have you doing the fastboot oem unlock command, which will WIPE EVERYTHING on your phone, including all the stuff on your /sdcard (pictures, music, etc), and all your apps' data (like Angry Birds scores) that can't be backed up without root.
We've recently found a method that doesn't require you to wipe the phone, and is just as effective as the earlier methods (really all we're doing is skipping that oem unlock step), so it's not as time critical to root right away as it used to be.
Good luck with the phone; it's fantastic, even on stock ROMs (my choice to use), despite a few annoying quirks!
Sent from Safari browser because Chrome browser frequently won't cooperate with xda forums.

[Q] Rooting and gingerbread update

I've spent some time on the forum trying to find an answer, but obviously that didnt happen.
I have my GS4G and want to just ROOT it without installing any rom to replace the firmware.
1. If i root my phone, can i do JUST that? or are there other steps after simply rooting that are considered important for the stability of my phone?
2. After i root my phone, will i still be able to do the kiesmini/OTA gingerbread *official* (not leaked) update?
My main reason for wanting to do this is for the bloatware and increasing performance, and to just have overall more 'control' (similar to the feeling of wiping a new computer from the manufacture's preloaded poop).
I have superoneclick v1.9.5. I used it as a test on my old MT3G, and installed the GingerYoshi rom, and all worked very well. I just dont want to brick my GS4G, as i paid full price D:.
sorry if this has been asked/answered, i try to play by the rules, but just didnt find my answer.
thanks,
Greg

Super one click root 1.7 was what I used. It just roots the phone, as any other rooting method should. You can get ota fine...I always did. Never had a problem.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Premium App

Just so you know there's no one-click root method for Gingerbread for the SGS4G yet. Maybe around the time the official ROM comes out there will be.

what does:
"error:more than one device"
mean?? That pops up when i hit root. I only have one phone connected to my PC.
I'm assuming its multiple instances of ADB running? Im not sure..
*EDIT* My mistake lol. still had my MT3G plugged in, my bad!
successfully rooted. Thanks

[Q] Noob needs help with his Rooted Droid Charge :|

Didn't find the answer I needed via searching or the 5 suggested threads above, so here goes:
Background:
I just got a Samsung Droid Charge from my job, prior to that I had only had a Tmobile G1, completely stock, so I'm VERY new to it. I rooted it using a howto video made by OriginalDobo or whatever, so my phone currently has Root on it, as well as it's running Gummycharged 2.0? I believe.
Problem:
Anyways, the update prompt is driving me CRAZY! Especially knowing that if I'm kind of out of it and hit install while I'm not paying attention it'll messup my root, this angers me. I have Root Explorer, and I had been told (seemingly by an idiot) that if you change the name of the file (File was in the Cache folder, was something update.zip) from .zip to .bak it would 'freeze' it, therefore eliminating my update problem. I switch the name from .zip to .bak, and renaming it made it vanish, not entirely sure of the filename either......
Needless to say, still get the update prompts, just want to undo whatever damage I might have done (phone still works fine, I just dont like a file seemingly vanishing lol, would like to locate where it went..) and get rid of these stupid update prompts every single time I unlock my phone, it's obnoxious beyond belief.

77 views and no help?

factory reset your phone and unroot it using the same method you rooted it or by uninstalling superuser app

[email protected] said:
factory reset your phone and unroot it using the same method you rooted it or by uninstalling superuser app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to stay rooted......... I don't want the update prompt, that is all.

Bump...

12345678910

nobody..... seriously? -_-

but if you factory reset it you can root again

how would that help my situation with the updates, though?

Nooby Root
I cannot help you, but I am familiar with your question as I had the same question on a HTC phone. The answer was that the "root" programers for the HTC Android system were a little more into the HTC system than the Samsung programers have with the Samsung way. That is why I haven't rooted my Charge yet.
This is not to belittle Samsung programmers as they are in no way lesser able, but Android is used different in the Droid and Samsung is not as popular as HTC. Yet!
My feeling is to follow the above suggestions and either unroot the phone and get the update, then re-root it (which should be easy) or let it update and re-root or Factory reset and re-root. Either way should be easy and Samsung has their own way with Android. This is just in my humble opinion.

kubla1 said:
I cannot help you, but I am familiar with your question as I had the same question on a HTC phone. The answer was that the "root" programers for the HTC Android system were a little more into the HTC system than the Samsung programers have with the Samsung way. That is why I haven't rooted my Charge yet.
This is not to belittle Samsung programmers as they are in no way lesser able, but Android is used different in the Droid and Samsung is not as popular as HTC. Yet!
My feeling is to follow the above suggestions and either unroot the phone and get the update, then re-root it (which should be easy) or let it update and re-root or Factory reset and re-root. Either way should be easy and Samsung has their own way with Android. This is just in my humble opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bah. thanks for your input at least ~

Thought this was supposed to be a place for those with Android knowledge -.-

Guess not..

[Q] Suggestions for safe 'wiping'?

I bought a used XT925 today. While the previous owner did go to some trouble to clean it, it still has a bunch of apps and some settings that I really don't want. Also, as a privacy paranoiac, I'm worried that there may be something malicious (however slight the possibility).
The device is rooted and running JB 4.1.2. I would love to factory reset it but having read a few reports of people losing root or worse (here, here, here and here, to list just a few) that plan seems ill-advised.
I've been toying with trying to script some kind of fs compare against a fs from a rom, but I'm not sure if this is even feasible. So far the only other thing I can think of to do is uninstall all the apps and manually sift through and delete all the other junk in the filesystem.
Does anyone have any suggestions on returning my device to the most "virgin" state possible while retaining root?

triplexdoubledadevelopers said:
I bought a used XT925 today. While the previous owner did go to some trouble to clean it, it still has a bunch of apps and some settings that I really don't want. Also, as a privacy paranoiac, I'm worried that there may be something malicious (however slight the possibility).
The device is rooted and running JB 4.1.2. I would love to factory reset it but having read a few reports of people losing root or worse (here, here, here and here, to list just a few) that plan seems ill-advised.
I've been toying with trying to script some kind of fs compare against a fs from a rom, but I'm not sure if this is even feasible. So far the only other thing I can think of to do is uninstall all the apps and manually sift through and delete all the other junk in the filesystem.
Does anyone have any suggestions on returning my device to the most "virgin" state possible while retaining root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simplest way is to use RSD Lite to send your device back to stock 4.1.2 -- then you can use the recently posted root method to gain root back. It should take < 15 minutes to do, most of that spent flashing with RSDLite. It'll actually take longer to download all the ADB drivers, Moto drivers, etc -- if you don't have them already.

triplexdoubledadevelopers said:
I bought a used XT925 today. While the previous owner did go to some trouble to clean it, it still has a bunch of apps and some settings that I really don't want. Also, as a privacy paranoiac, I'm worried that there may be something malicious (however slight the possibility).
The device is rooted and running JB 4.1.2. I would love to factory reset it but having read a few reports of people losing root or worse (here, here, here and here, to list just a few) that plan seems ill-advised.
I've been toying with trying to script some kind of fs compare against a fs from a rom, but I'm not sure if this is even feasible. So far the only other thing I can think of to do is uninstall all the apps and manually sift through and delete all the other junk in the filesystem.
Does anyone have any suggestions on returning my device to the most "virgin" state possible while retaining root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whats up,
Cpudan80 is right, your best bet is to flash stock 4.1.2, and to reroot. And it does take about 15 minutes if you don't already have drivers and stuff, but I can help you out, by linking you to my utility, which essentially does the heavy lifting of finding all of the programs and stuff, and puts it together into one convenient package.
Find it here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2241788

Cpudan80 said:
Simplest way is to use RSD Lite to send your device back to stock 4.1.2 -- then you can use the recently posted root method to gain root back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mr.Parkinson said:
Cpudan80 is right, your best bet is to flash stock 4.1.2, and to reroot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the replies! Would you link me to that root method, Cpudan80? All of the root methods I've been able to find say that you must flash 4.0 or CWM first in order to root, then protect root and upgrade to JB again. Is there a new better way which doesn't require downgrading?

triplexdoubledadevelopers said:
Thanks for the replies! Would you link me to that root method, Cpudan80? All of the root methods I've been able to find say that you must flash 4.0 or CWM first in order to root, then protect root and upgrade to JB again. Is there a new better way which doesn't require downgrading?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a thread on here somewhere -- but here's the thread I followed (after using RSDLite to go back to clean 4.1.2). No hard steps at all, just run a bat file - press enter and viola - you're rooted.
http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/topic/15208-root-motochopper-yet-another-android-root-exploit/

Cpudan80 said:
There's a thread on here somewhere -- but here's the thread I followed (after using RSDLite to go back to clean 4.1.2). No hard steps at all, just run a bat file - press enter and viola - you're rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazing, thanks! I had seen that exploit at one point when I was considering getting an earlier RAZR version and was looking into how easy it was to root it. I thought that exploit didn't work with the XT925 since there was no link to it in the forum (and searches only revealed many tales of failed root attempts and downgrades). Thanks again!

Just got a new Z3 and want to root

So I just got my new Sony Xperia Z3 but unfortunately it's D6603 model so no 32GB goodness which means I probably need Link2SD as I'll end up with probably about 10GB user available storage after all the updated which means I need to root.
I haven't even turned the phone on yet, it's still sitting there charging, but let's assume for a moment that it's not yet on Lollipop and still running KitKat which should mean I have various easy rooting methods at my disposal, right?
So what I'm asking is what would be the easiest (and most universal/in other words covering the most versions) root I could use.
I don't care about custom this or whatever, I want to keep my phone as stock as possible, I just want to be able to use Link2SD and maybe Titanium Backup, so if possible I'd prefer not to add a custom recovery or mess with anything beyond getting root access for those 2 apps.
I know I will have to check the bootloader first (I assume it's already unlocked though given the phone it's an international version that isn't carrier locked but that's a different problem anyways). But after that is there a recommended one-click root to use that alters as little as possible and covers as many android versions as possible? Or something almost as easy?
I don't want easy because my technical knowledge is lacking by the way, I want easy because the fewer steps there are the less I can screw up and I'm terrified of bricking the phone....so terrified I've resisted rooting my previous two android phones even after getting replacement phones, but I really need Link2SD now.

Should I use Kingroot and then replace the king Super User app with normal SuperuserSU?
Can I still keep root by doing a PC update instead of an OTA one?

SCHUMI_4EVER said:
Should I use Kingroot and then replace the king Super User app with normal SuperuserSU?
Can I still keep root by doing a PC update instead of an OTA one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search forums. You can have Z3 rooted on both locked and unlocked bootloaders or or install custom fw.
Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

use kingroot with chainfire's supersu

ondrejvaroscak said:
Search forums. You can have Z3 rooted on both locked and unlocked bootloaders or or install custom fw.
Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know there are many options, I was hoping to be pointed to what someone considers the ideal easy way. My very problem was that I was inundated by potential rooting options but many either modified more than I would have liked or some seemed suspect/too good to be true (no way there are 30 accepted one-click root programs for this phone) so I'd been hoping someone would help me find the right tree in the forest of options I was looking at.
Anyways today I finally turned the phone on and to my great dismay found that it was already fully up to date (well our local network OTA updates may be a revision or 2 behind international updates) and running Lollipop 5.02 and I gave up all hope then there but Kingroot looked so easy that I decided to try it anyways and to my great surprise and tremendous delight it worked perfectly. Downloaded rootchecker and I'm fully rooted. Tried Link2SD and I'm extremely pleased to say that I have all of Asphalt 8 - Airborne's massive bulk as well as Spiderman Unlimited taking up space on my SD card and most of my user available internal storage remains unused.
I think I'm going to stay with KingRoot's app though and not switch to SuperSU, I don't want there to be any chance of losing this root access (I know it shouldn't happen but I desperately need Link2SD to stay happy so I don't want to rock the boat in any way).
So I guess this thread can be closed now.

Black Plague said:
use kingroot with chainfire's supersu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I ended up using Kingroot before this already because when I turned the phone on for the first time I saw that it was already on 5.02 which I thought made it unrootable (without a custom rom, but I may have missread something somewhere) so I decided give it a Hail Mary try and it worked!!
I think I'm going to stick with KingRoot's app though and not replace it with SuperSU, I just don't want to rock the boat and lose that root access (I know it can be done without losing it, but I'm super paranoid).

SCHUMI_4EVER said:
Thanks. I ended up using Kingroot before this already because when I turned the phone on for the first time I saw that it was already on 5.02 which I thought made it unrootable (without a custom rom, but I may have missread something somewhere) so I decided give it a Hail Mary try and it worked!!
I think I'm going to stick with KingRoot's app though and not replace it with SuperSU, I just don't want to rock the boat and lose that root access (I know it can be done without losing it, but I'm super paranoid).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would be more paranoid about using quite unknown app instead of rock solid and proven SuperSU..
Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

ondrejvaroscak said:
I would be more paranoid about using quite unknown app instead of rock solid and proven SuperSU..
Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have anything sensitive on my phone, I'd prefer they didn't spy on me of course but as far as I'm concerned they can have every shred of info they want. All I need is root access for Link2SD, I don't need the rock-solid and proven SuperSU for that and I don't want any more features incase that offers more.
Since KingRoot has given my phone a chance at a decent life I'm willing to trust them until being shown info to the contrary (and I mean more than just them knowing my IMEI number).

SCHUMI_4EVER said:
Thanks. I ended up using Kingroot before this already because when I turned the phone on for the first time I saw that it was already on 5.02 which I thought made it unrootable (without a custom rom, but I may have missread something somewhere) so I decided give it a Hail Mary try and it worked!!
I think I'm going to stick with KingRoot's app though and not replace it with SuperSU, I just don't want to rock the boat and lose that root access (I know it can be done without losing it, but I'm super paranoid).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easy bro, relax la, do you want to stick with kingroot super user ? its ok but if u flash chainfire's super su, u can uninstall that kinguser

Black Plague said:
Easy bro, relax la, do you want to stick with kingroot super user ? its ok but if u flash chainfire's super su, u can uninstall that kinguser
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Besides having the more trusted app what would I gain from SuperSU? Does it to do more? Besides the engrish the Super User app from Kingroot seems fine.
Can SuperSU also unroot my phone again (should I need to warranty claim) and also try to keep the root permanent even when updates happen (which Kingroot apparently tries to do even if it likely won't work)?
Oh by the way one more question with regards to rooting. Back when I had my Xperia neo apparently OTA updates would make you lose root but doing an update via the Sony PC companion program could maintain the root...is that still the case? Or do I lose root no matter what now?

Pc companion is a worthless pos. Believe me. Look for alts, anything that works with android to your liking. You'll be much happier. Kingroot is not needed AT ALL. Plus I don't like the fact it calls home. Reminds me of the latest lenovo fiasco where programs within the bios are calling home-wtf! Use the tested working giefroot, flashtool, xzdr stuff. My 2cents