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Completely new to Android OS and need some tips

I am brand new to the Android OS and I heard from some friends that rooting is very similar to "jailbreaking" on the iPhone in the sense that you gain a lot of extra features and are able to sideload apps, etc.
I have a few questions before I do my root. Also, I do not want to install Android 2.3 or any other OS on my phone. I want to keep the stock OS, except I want my phone to be rooted (if that works). The guide my friends showed me was this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=952352
1. If I root my phone and then install an HTC or AT&T update, does my root go away (HTC Inspire 4G locked to AT&T).
2. Can I remove the AT&T lock so I can use my phone in Europe if I root?
3. I don't want to brick my phone, so is there anyway to back it up beforehand?
Thanks for the help!

1. It won't let you update so your good.
2. Yes you can it unlocks the phone.
3. Yes its called a Nandroid
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XAviierG said:
1. It won't let you update so your good.
2. Yes you can it unlocks the phone.
3. Yes its called a Nandroid
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App
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Also, is the thread I posted the best method for rooting as of right now, or is there a better one?

ComradeNF said:
Also, is the thread I posted the best method for rooting as of right now, or is there a better one?
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That's how I rooted mines. Very simple
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Just remember backups are your friends
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ThEiiNoCeNT said:
Just remember backups are your friends
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+1! I learned this the hard way haha.....I went flash crazy once with mods, and one of them went wrong. I hadn't made a backup in almost a week, so I had a lot of work to do to get everything back the way I like it. Now, I religiously do a backup before doing any mod, everytime . Time consuming, yes, but it'll save you A LOT of time if something goes wrong.

yep very true a back up just saved my butt yesterday

Back up is a must..

I hate when I get bricked without a backup....I have to reinstall the rom and set up everything again..
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words can't explain how many times I've been saved with my backup when messng with different flashes, haha. Very important.
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1- rooting is the hardest /most dangerous part(not that its dangerous, but its more dangerous than flashing a rom/kernel simply cause your flashing a radio). Flashing a rom is simple/safe. After you root don't not flash a rom cause you think its dangerous or you'll brick your phone-you wont.
2- I haven't made a nandroid backup ever. If you soft brick your phone, knowing adb is way more important than a backup. I've bricked my phone probably more than everybody in this thread x50, adb saves me everytime. Even if the computer wont see your phone when it boots, 99.9% of the time it will see it when in recovery, so this is what will really save you. Reboot the phone to recovery, use adb to fix whatever broke from the mod/whatever you just did.
(I'm not saying don't make backups, I'm saying learn adb - it can more likely save your ass than anything. Learn it)

di11igaf said:
1- rooting is the hardest /most dangerous part(not that its dangerous, but its more dangerous than flashing a rom/radio simply cause your flashing a radio). Flashing a rom is simple/safe. After you root don't not flash a rom cause you think its dangerous or you'll brick your phone-you wont.
2- I haven't made a nandroid backup ever. If you soft brick your phone, knowing adb is way more important than a backup. I've bricked my phone probably more than everybody in this thread x50, adb saves me everytime. Even if the computer wont see your phone when it boots, 99.9% of the time it will see it when in recovery, so this is what will really save you. Reboot the phone to recovery, use adb to fix whatever broke from the mod/whatever you just did.
(I'm not saying don't make backups, I'm saying learn adb - it can more likely save your ass than anything. Learn it)
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Good advice....I need to take the time to do that.....
Sent from my Inspire 4G

Non-destructive root for ICS?

Anyone know of a non-destructive root method for ICS? My wife and I are swapping phones. Mine is rooted and all but hers isn't and I want to make a Titanium backup of all her stuff.
So far the only method I know of to root is via OEM unlock and flashing clockwork recovery. Then installing su via CWR. The OEM unlock erases everything.
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I believe you can root it without unlocking the boot loader using SuperOneClick but I could be wrong. Either way worth a try
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Move the TitaniumBackup folder to your PC before starting. Don't forget your pictures folder too!

just copy your entire SDcard to your computer , and then after unlocked bootloader copy it back

Thanks guys, but that doesn't restore any apps or their data.
I'll try the superoneclick.
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you could try this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1463564
seems to be new method wothout unlocking bootloader

cbstryker said:
Anyone know of a non-destructive root method for ICS? My wife and I are swapping phones. Mine is rooted and all but hers isn't and I want to make a Titanium backup of all her stuff.
So far the only method I know of to root is via OEM unlock and flashing clockwork recovery. Then installing su via CWR. The OEM unlock erases everything.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
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My understanding is that you can unroot as needed, so I wouldn't consider rooting the S "destructive". There are instructions to be found easily that explain how to unroot your phone.
Sorry, I misunderstood what you meant -- disregard the above.
Can't you back up most stuff using MyBackup?

sninkychan said:
My understanding is that you can unroot as needed, so I wouldn't consider rooting the S "destructive". There are instructions to be found easily that explain how to unroot your phone.
Sorry, I misunderstood what you meant -- disregard the above.
Can't you back up most stuff using MyBackup?
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I think he means the wipe accompanying a bootloader unlock as being destructive.
- chris

use root toolbox its only 4 bucks so dont be cheap. then copy sdcard to computer , the root, copy sd card back and ur done

Ya, problem is that root toolbox requires root.
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cbstryker said:
Thanks guys, but that doesn't restore any apps or their data.
I'll try the superoneclick.
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Did superoneclick work for you? I'm also looking for a way to root my phone without wiping it with the possibility of unrooting it again after.

motomeup said:
Did superoneclick work for you? I'm also looking for a way to root my phone without wiping it with the possibility of unrooting it again after.
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Actually I found another program that works even better (imo). It's called RootUnlocker and it worked for both the Nexus S running 4.0.3 and the LG Optimus 2x running 2.2. However, it didn't work for my Acer a500 but there's currently no method to root 3.2 on it. You need to down grade first.
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Edit: Correction, it's not called root unlocker, but rather Unlock Root (http://www.unlockroot.com).

[Q] Will I lose data if i don't install custom rom and only root.

Will I lose data if i don't install custom rom and only root.I will unlock the bootloader and install custom recovery and superuser. Will I lose app apps and their data.

No but it is recomended to do factory reset, if you don't it's not bug deal, on the ather hand you can back up your apps with titanium backup(after rooting) and then do factory reset, after that you safely can restore them.

HTC says you will lose everything after unlocking bootloader process. But it haven't deleted anything for me . Everything worked fine after just rooting. By the way, you should backup apps, just in case.
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zgintasz said:
HTC says you will lose everything after unlocking bootloader process. But it haven't deleted anything for me . Everything worked fine after just rooting. By the way, you should backup apps, just in case.
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Same happened for me... I had all the data aftr rooting and flashing recovery.
power the droid

I don't know why someone above suggested doing a factory reset, that is completely unnecessary after rooting, and I think would actually cause boot loops.
No data was lost when I rooted, although HTC do say it will be. I haven't heard of anyone who actually did have data lost though.

Yes making reset from menu will cause bootloop, after rooting resets should be made from recovery, idea of making reset is to start fresh, mostly people rooted the phone so they can move app's to sd, if you use some kind of script, already installed apps will give fc, that's why is recomended. Again it's not nesecery it's just recomended, and you always can use titanium after that.

zgintasz said:
HTC says you will lose everything after unlocking bootloader process. But it haven't deleted anything for me . Everything worked fine after just rooting. By the way, you should backup apps, just in case.
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Same for me also. I think for advance precautions they warning like that. But simple boot unlock and rooting will never modify any user data.
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shortyoko said:
Yes making reset from menu will cause bootloop, after rooting resets should be made from recovery, idea of making reset is to start fresh, mostly people rooted the phone so they can move app's to sd, if you use some kind of script, already installed apps will give fc, that's why is recomended. Again it's not nesecery it's just recomended, and you always can use titanium after that.
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Yes, He is correct because menu will cause bootloop so u cant go in recovery mode..

No
No. You wont lose any data. You just gain super user permission by rooting

[Q] Restoring HTC inspire to factory

Over the weekend i rooted the inspire my gf has. Unfortunately i missed the ace kit by 1 month. I tired using the easy root kit and it would not do anything besides unlock the bootloader. I want to try and perform the s-off method in order to allow my gf to add her own roms without me having to use teamviewer.
so i have two questions. For those that have tried the manual s-off method, is there a way to go back in case things get stuck? What would i need to do to prep the phone? Restore the original rom?
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-SubSonic- said:
Over the weekend i rooted the inspire my gf has. Unfortunately i missed the ace kit by 1 month. I tired using the easy root kit and it would not do anything besides unlock the bootloader. I want to try and perform the s-off method in order to allow my gf to add her own roms without me having to use teamviewer.
so i have two questions. For those that have tried the manual s-off method, is there a way to go back in case things get stuck? What would i need to do to prep the phone? Restore the original rom?
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If you follow one of the guides here properly there shouldnt be any issue. There is a way to restore any problem on a device to factory stock settings using a RUU.exe. There is a easy way of telling which you are, just boot into bootloader and see what it says as the first line.
Personally I believe the best way to s-off is using the HTC Super tool v3 it roots, s-off , SIM Unlock etc.

Clean up

Cleaning up without losing root. Don't say factory reset.lol
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Wanna try be a bit more specific?
Sent from my Evita

I would like to have the phone like I did when I first rooted it. Without losing root. I don't wanna delete any needed files
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Basically you can't. The best way to do 'clean up' would be to run an RUU and format the sd card (backing up important files first). Yes, running an RUU causes you to lose root, but contrary to popular belief root isn't the most important factor. Your unlocked bootloader (which is far more important) survives the RUU process, which means all you do afterwards is flash TWRP and flash root (or a rooted ROM), and voila.
Sent from my Evita

Cuz I know on my inspire I can just take the SD card out and format everything without losing root. With the one x,since its all integrated, I can't do that. I'm trying to explain but can't word it right. Hehe
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OK. Ty Tim. U been a good help
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How was your holidays? Mine was hectic lol. How do I go about doing what u suggested?
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Sorry to bother u. But u seem to be the best candidate to help me
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The first thing you want to do is backup anything that's on your sd card that's important to you. Just mount it to your PC and copy important files across. Next is the RUU, but you'll need s-off for this so if you don't already have it, get it now. If you have s-off just download the 3.18 RUU, connect your phone in fastboot mode, and run the RUU exe program in Windows, simple as that. You just need to make sure no other programs are running, make sure HTC Sync Manager is uninstalled (leave drivers installed though), and make sure screen saver/hibernation is turned off. Once the RUU is complete it's just a matter of flashing TWRP recovery again, if you need directions for that just click the How-To Guide For Beginners link in my signature.
Sent from my Evita

OK. Thanks
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Oops..yea..I am s off
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I even backed up my freshly rooted device a while back. That's what I'm on now
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Ok. All you need to do is what I said before.
Sent from my Evita

OK. I backed up my stuff. I'm gonna give this a shot soon. Thanks
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I even thought about just deleting those big old back ups to gain some space. That's all I'm really shooting for. But I will heed your advice for the ruu.
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Edit - Deleted..I thought you said Infuse, I see that you said Inspire. Sorry about that...

No problem. U having issue with your device? I had QN infuse butci broke screen by dropping a coffee cup on it. Haha
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chrisb906 said:
No problem. U having issue with your device? I had QN infuse butci broke screen by dropping a coffee cup on it. Haha
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No, I worked on a friend's Infuse and I know a lot about that phone. There are some differences I was going to point out and recommend some things.

Oh. OK.
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You haven't really been clear on what you want. Do yourself and all of us a favor, and just slow down and explain it in a thorough and specific manner, not just 1-2 sentence responses.
A couple different approaches to clean things up:
1) Do you just want to clear up some space in SD storage? Then yes, if you have multiple TWRP backups on the phone, just move them to your computer. You really only need one nandroid on the SD (recent and known good configuration).
There are a lot of other files that can take up a lot of space and potentially be cleaned up "manually". Some examples are ROM zip files (don't need them after you have flashed the ROM), pics and videos, etc. Just copy whatever you want to keep to your computer, and delete them from the SD.
2)
chrisb906 said:
Cleaning up without losing root. Don't say factory reset.lol
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I'm not sure you know what "factory reset' actually means. Its a bit of a misnomer. All it does is wipe the user data (/data) partition. The current ROM is retained, as is root, bootloader unlock, etc. It also does not touch the "virtual" SD (including your nandroids), although you should back them up to your computer beforehand anyway, just to be safe.
If you want to wipe the phone, but keep the ROM, then a factory reset is exactly what you want (then re-setup the phone, apps, etc.). One approach might be to backup any personal data (nandroid, Titanium backup files, photos) to your computer, then use TWRP to wipe the SD and factory reset, then move your files back to your SD and setup the phone again as you like.
Whatever you do, don't factory reset in bootloader, as a known bug on modded phones means that this will corrupt the SD. So you will not only lose any data on the SD, but also have to reformat it in order to fix the corruption.