Database Info

"To Root or not to Root?" that's the question...

I don't want to know how to root, I can find my answer for that on Google, however what I don't get is what it does...
I know it unlocks the device somehow, but can't I simply access everything in the system if I compile android from source and install it on the device?
I have downloaded the android source and I believe I can access every possible thing, so why is rooting needed?
If I install an app as a system app, won't it automatically have the permissions to do what I need it to do?

AFAIK rooting is for the people you'd call the end user/consumer or whatever.
If you have a new phone and want to install one of the many custom ROMs around, you simply need a rooted phone.
A custom ROM is in easy terms a custom made User Interface for the phone.
There is lot more complicated stuff going on under the hood, but in general you change the look and feel of you phone's UI.
The phone has to be rooted, because the manufacturers and net providers around pack a lot of useless crap called "bloatware" (like Samsung Shop and Samsung Play and Samsung Sing and Dance and Music and whatnot) on your phone, which often makes it slower than it can be without it.
But naturally the big corps don't want you to be able to get rid of that **** too easily, which is why you don't have access to the system folders as a normal user.
I guess in your case it's possible that you (if you compiled android from source and installed it on your device) so to say have an already rooted phone, since Android itself is rooted by default. Like I said, the manufacturers are the ones to unroot Android in order to dictate which apps their customers might or might not use.
But I'm a noob and am not sure how you would install Android on your phone if it's new (and unrooted by default?) if you haven't rooted it before?
meh, hope that helped a bit at least...

root- you would love to do it after reading this..
Root? what is it?
it is what i call full access to our phone, flash new roms, have dual boot (example- you can have to os like ics and JB), can access the evasive /data folder which holdes the apk/setups of apps installed from playstore and many other things..
If you are concerned about warranty you can unroot your phone and give in your phone for warranty. i have given my phone for warranty like this.
The most important thing i like about root is that i can fix my phone myself (if it is a software problem). any other question please ask, and i will answer it.
Thanks if helped!

I don't have the time for development anymore. I used to play with stuff like that years ago, but life has taken me away from it. I'd still like to be able to access everything on my phone and play with custom roms, and root lets me do that. The end consumer comment is a good one.
As for to root or not root, I tell most people who ask me to root for them what they use their phone for and explain what they would get out of rooting, and explain the risks involved. Seems that people who understand what rooting does are able to do it themselves, and the ones that ask you to do it for them usually decide against it after hearing "there is a tiny chance that your phone could get bricked" lol

If you just want to play emulators etc, how would you benefit from rooting?

IMO rooting is very useful if you want to keep touching system things in a stock rom, optimizing and debloating it, installing other people ROMs, etc... I believe that if you compile your own flavour of android and find no restriction doing whatever you want, you don't need to.

Android phone without root is nothing

McFex said:
AFAIK rooting is for the people you'd call the end user/consumer or whatever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:good:
McFex said:
But I'm a noob and am not sure how you would install Android on your phone if it's new (and unrooted by default?) if you haven't rooted it before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some phones can just be flashed (for example via usb) which gives you full control, others can be cracked.

Motorola Solutions TC55

Hello,
I have a TC55 from Motorola Solutions (i.e. the enterprise division that does not belong to Google). It is a rugged phone with a big battery (4400 mAh), but certainly not the sleekest design. Not sure if there is much interest in this kind of device, and I am certainly no developer - but in case anyone is investigating the TC55, here are two things I found so far:
It does not come with any Google apps: no Maps, no Gmail, no Play store and so on.
It is easily rooted with Framaroot using the Gandalf exploit.
(I cannot post this info into the Framaroot thread due to my low post count).
Anyway, maybe this helps someone. I will be happy to try to answer any questions about the TC55, but keep in mind I am no pro and I am not keen in messing around in its internals much more than I have done already.

Elanguescence said:
Hello,
I have a TC55 from Motorola Solutions (i.e. the enterprise division that does not belong to Google). It is a rugged phone with a big battery (4400 mAh), but certainly not the sleekest design. Not sure if there is much interest in this kind of device, and I am certainly no developer - but in case anyone is investigating the TC55, here are two things I found so far:
It does not come with any Google apps: no Maps, no Gmail, no Play store and so on.
It is easily rooted with Framaroot using the Gandalf exploit.
(I cannot post this info into the Framaroot thread due to my low post count).
Anyway, maybe this helps someone. I will be happy to try to answer any questions about the TC55, but keep in mind I am no pro and I am not keen in messing around in its internals much more than I have done already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard my company is planning to go with these soon for entry level supervisors such as myself. I'm trying to figure out exactly what it is. All the specs and brochures from Motorola keep calling it a mobile computer in a smartphone "form factor" but never actually call it a phone. I didn't see anything in any of the specs to lead me to believe for sure that it was a phone or if it was just an Android computer in a smartphone form factor.
Anyway, I just wanted to confirm, that, you're certain this is a phone, correct?
Thanks.
- Byron

bfollowell said:
Anyway, I just wanted to confirm, that, you're certain this is a phone, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, definitely. You can call and get called, and you can send and receive SMS. It also supports wired headsets, and it is supposed to work with Bluetooth headsets, though I do not have any to test.

Elanguescence said:
Yes, definitely. You can call and get called, and you can send and receive SMS. It also supports wired headsets, and it is supposed to work with Bluetooth headsets, though I do not have any to test.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info but it looks like mine is going to be crippled.
Sort of a let-down really. Yes, it "can" be a phone. Or without a sim card it can be a really powerful Android based mobile computer. That's what it is going to be for most of us. Only a few supervisors with area management approval are going to get units with the phone features working. Still cool. Just not as cool as I'd thought it was going to be.
- Byron

bfollowell said:
Thanks for the info but it looks like mine is going to be crippled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, sorry to hear that. It sounds weird to me to do that, but then again I have no clue about this type of work.
Maybe the crippling could be worked around or undone by people with good Android knowledge - but I suppose it might not be the best idea to go against company policy.

Elanguescence said:
I see, sorry to hear that. It sounds weird to me to do that, but then again I have no clue about this type of work.
Maybe the crippling could be worked around or undone by people with good Android knowledge - but I suppose it might not be the best idea to go against company policy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think they're doing anything all that special to cripple it. They just won't all have sim cards or a cell plan. Pretty much as simple as that.
I won't be doing anything to circumvent that though or rooting it or anything like that. It's not like it's a gift and it belongs to me or anything. After almost 22 years, I've kind of grown to like my job and getting a paycheck every two weeks.I'd kind of like to keep it for another 15 or 20 years. Who knows, maybe my manager will decide that I need cell service with mine.
I work for a large automaker in the U.S. We have over 2.8 million square feet under roof. Personally, I can be anywhere on in the plant, on the roof, in pits & sub-basements underneath or anywhere on or near the 50 acre plant site at any given time. A lot of what I need to do on a daily basis is through our intranet portal. They're putting in something like 500 new wi-fi repeaters/extenders all around the plant as well. They're purchasing these for over 300 first line supervisors at my site alone. I'm pretty sure they're doing this corporate-wide so I hate to think what they're spending on these things as a corporation. I'm sure it would bankrupt many small nations! In addition to giving us portal access away from the desk, these are meant to replace our aging industrial radio system. As expensive as these are, they're still much cheaper than $1.5 to $2k per person for a radio that has no other built-in functionality and these do seem pretty ruggedized.
Still a shame about the phone functionality though.
- Byron

Can you see what browser it comes with? Can you install (untrusted) APKs directly without rooting it?

FYI, in case anyone's wondering, there is a version with Google apps on the way (if it isn't already orderable).
Sent from my Moto X

tfnico said:
Can you see what browser it comes with? Can you install (untrusted) APKs directly without rooting it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Browser is a standard one, which comes with other devices. Name is Browser.apk and version is 1.0.9
It's possible to install unsigned APK's without rooting.

google account
Hi,
I got stucked with trying to get google calendars from my google account to TC55.
I found one solution to setup google account as a corporate one, but it's not available anymore due to change in google policy.
I can setup google mail via email account, but that doesn't bring me my calendars to the device.
I tried to install gapps but without success.
Is there any other way?
Thanks.

Motorola work on google apps for TC55.There is in beta.

Elanguescence said:
... here are two things I found so far:
It does not come with any Google apps: no Maps, no Gmail, no Play store and so on.
It is easily rooted with Framaroot using the Gandalf exploit.
(I cannot post this info into the Framaroot thread due to my low post count).
Anyway, maybe this helps someone. I will be happy to try to answer any questions about the TC55, but keep in mind I am no pro and I am not keen in messing around in its internals much more than I have done already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Obviously u rooted, can u install gapps in it?

RjCode said:
Obviously u rooted, can u install gapps in it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea, I haven't tried. As far as I understand gapps are usually installed via flashing a zip from recovery, and the stock recovery of the TC55 does not have that option, it only allows reflashing a whole image, if I understand it correctly. Either way, I have come to appreciate the open source alternatives and do not want to get Google on my phone, so I will not try, sorry.
However, going by this thread over at the Motorola support forum, it seems it won't take long until there is official gapps support:
https://developer.motorolasolutions.com/thread/4989

Motorola has now released a TC55-firmware with Google apps. Here are the release notes:
https://atgsupportcentral.motorolasolutions.com/content/emb/docs/ReleaseNotes/Release%20Notes%20-%20%20TC55_RevAPlus_GMS_01%2074G_v10.htm
According to the support email they sent me, to get the actual release you need to perform the following arcane ritual:
Resolution Type is : Software Download
Resolution Id is  : 95562
Resolution Title is : TC55 Update Image v1.74 with GMS (Google Mobile Service) Release Note & Factory Reset & Enterprise Enabler package
restrictedSW :
T55N0JGMVRUEN17400.zip 321 MB TC55 OS Recovery Update package
T55N0JGMVAUEN17400.apf 321 MB TC55 OS update package file for deployment using MSP
If you require access to OS files for TC55 1.74 GMS then call the local Support Desk and provide following information:
a. Site ID
b. Serial #(s)
c. Phone #
d. Customer name (First and Last)
e. E-mail address
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't ask me what the local support desk number is, or the site ID, or why they have to make this so complicated.

Hi Elanguescence,
I think I screwed up my tc55 by enabling the multiuser function without first creating the white list. Now all the users (with admin rights) does not have access to all the programs, including Applock Administrator and Multiuser administrator.
To cut things short, do you know of a way to reset the device? I don't mind setting it to factory default and start over. I've googled it and some said to launch Rapid Deployment and scan a barcode from there... but my Rapid Deployment just says "Service Not Ready, Please Wait" and get stuck there.
Any help appreciated. Thank you.

Any TC55 users here? Should be getting my unit w/ GMS soon... How do you guys like it?
Is the bootloader locked?
Sent from my Moto X

Hey!
I want to Buy one TC55 for me. Normally i hate Android and the Google stuff on the Phone but some Motorola Salesman told me there is a version with out.
Now i use an Sybian Device. That mean i am "offline" the hole time and when i need Internet the Phone connect the the Internet.
So how about that phone can i work "offline" to?
I will also use an VPN Tunnel to block on my backend all Connnection i dont want. Does all Data trough this VPN Tunnel ?
How about the Barcode Scanning does it work good?
I know for 2D i need to use the Cam but how works it when i am in some other Application?

Nobody?

Ok. I just bought a TC55 from a Friend and I was wondering if someone would post the update to get GSM and the Factory Reset packages. I went to the page and it requires all the information posted above before. Mine is rooted, but i am trying to install GAPS but the recovery is the basic and cannot. I manually installed Google Play and the Google Play Services but Google Play services keep crashing and the Play Store will not connect, any ideas ?

the are 2 versions one with google s... service and the other without.
So i belive you have the first?
(Can i ask you some question about that phone?)

[Q] Questions about Rooting Galaxy S4 for a Scared Noob

Hello,
I've had my S4 for a little over a year and have been pretty happy with it. I came from using an iPhone for a few years before. With the upgrade in Kit Kat and not being able to easily access folders has been very frustrating and I wanted more control on my phone (turn on/off GPS for example and other things Tasker is blocked from doing). My understanding is that rooting would fix those issues. However I'm a little scared as how to proceed.
Here are some of my questions/concerns:
Will I get better performance from my phone (assuming I have all the same sort of settings)?
Are there apps that will not work on a rooted phone?
Which is an appropriate ROM to choose? (Stock Android, CyanogenMod, etc.)
Is there a way to backup an entire image (data and everything) of what I have now on my Samsung so I can restore it if I really mess up. I am thinking this would be similar in Windows, where I can make a disk image to be able to restore the entire OS and all the data.
What is the best way to reload apps I currently use (and have paid for) back onto the rooted device? Do I just make a list on paper and then go one-by-one and re-install them?
Will rooting effect my access to the Google Play Store?
How badly can I brick my phone? Can I get it to a point that it is completely restoreable? That is assuming I didn't do anything outside of following instructions and didn't connect it to my car battery
Will I be able to access my S4 like a drive or is that a hardware issue?
Is TouchWiz really that lousy?
Fortunately there is a lot of information out there, but it is overwhelming. Besides this site, are there other ones you recommend reading?
Thank you for the help.

While awaiting Android N for our Pure (XT1575)...

I decided to try out simplifying my phone and reduce issues that I've come across when using various custom ROMs, modified stock ROMs, etc... and used the Restore-To-Stock tool found in these forums. I then updated the phone via Settings, About, System Updates... then once that was done (Several times...) I was fully updated and ready to go. I flashed the latest TWRP & then installed the latest SuperSU for MM via TWRP... went into the file system and removed the APPs I did not want or need on my phone, wiped the caches and rebooted... I did this a few days ago and am insanely impressed by it. I forgot what stable and issue-free felt like... There's no fancy custom edits, no oddball quirks randomly from whatever was modified from various ROMs and after I installed xPosed, a few basic modules, setup Nova Launcher and all my APPs (Did a full fresh no restore of anything run through of it all)... I am the happiest I've ever been with my Moto X Pure (XT1575).
Once N pops in, I'll go through the whole process again, of course... but I think I might start sticking out simplified setups from here on out. I wanted to get the next Google "Nexus" phones released this year, but after seeing the Pixels and the prices... no thank you, I'm staying with my Pure for a while. I'm VERY happy with it... Dual front facing speakers are pretty much a necessity now for me. Internal Storage and Removable Batteries (prior to my Pure) are no longer my requirement. I've adjusted to pretty much using Google Drive and Google Play Music for all of my Files & Music with T-Mobile's no-data-cost of Google Play Music Streaming, I download my favorites (All I ever need would fit on a 32GB phone easily)... and Google Photos auto-backup has prevented me needing tons of storage options anymore... Battery you say though? No... I've YET to have a phone I wasn't able to charge on-the-go or even have a battery go bad.
Rambling here, this post was probably more for me than anyone who might read it, lol... I wanted the Moto Z so bad... but if I can't get an unlocked one that has the shatterproof display to use on T-Mobile... I don't see myself getting one at all. I want my next phone to have a fancy AMOLED hopefully shatterproof display with dual-front facing or at least a mod for sound / speakers like the Z and perhaps smaller top / bottom bezels. Not sure if I care about a fingerprint sensor yet or not. Anyway, have a great day everyone!!!

Have you compared debloated stock to tru pure x?

I've been thinking about doing something similar for the last few days. I've been running the latest TruPure since it came out several months ago. It might be the longest I've ever had an Android device without doing a clean flash of something, and things are degenerating.

I've always been a huge fan of TruPureXMM but have run into a few minor quirks here and then over time and definitely feel this is proving to be a much more stable experience. I removed (debloated) pretty much everything TruPureX did when it comes to APPs, but I believe TruPureX had a lot more going on than just that, which is what prompted me to go this route.
Since we're all sort of waiting for the official N, and we all know it won't be here amazingly fast... I've opted for this route to stay with the official run of things until N is stable and available through the official channel. I'll go through the full official update process and then TWRP and Root after... I'll be able to stay away from xPosed at first simply because the only things I'm using now are making MM more like N and I won't need to do that with N. I'm hoping once I can TWRP, Root and debloat by deleting the many APPs I don't like... things will be great!

CJ-Wylde said:
I've always been a huge fan of TruPureXMM but have run into a few minor quirks here and then over time and definitely feel this is proving to be a much more stable experience. I removed (debloated) pretty much everything TruPureX did when it comes to APPs, but I believe TruPureX had a lot more going on than just that, which is what prompted me to go this route.
Since we're all sort of waiting for the official N, and we all know it won't be here amazingly fast... I've opted for this route to stay with the official run of things until N is stable and available through the official channel. I'll go through the full official update process and then TWRP and Root after... I'll be able to stay away from xPosed at first simply because the only things I'm using now are making MM more like N and I won't need to do that with N. I'm hoping once I can TWRP, Root and debloat by deleting the many APPs I don't like... things will be great!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've made me interested in trying this out as well. Is titanium backup the best way to remove system apps or is there a better alternative?

HaggisIV said:
You've made me interested in trying this out as well. Is titanium backup the best way to remove system apps or is there a better alternative?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I've always done is go into TWRP and remove them myself. Going full fresh no restore means no real need for Titanium. Return-To-Stock first, then OTA your way up to current... THEN TWRP and SuperSU... then boot in, make sure everything is working and jot down on a piece of paper or Google Keep from your computer a list of the APPs you don't want.
Then power off, get into TWRP and mount /System, go into Advanced, File Manager and within /system/APPs and /system/PrivAPPs (Or something like that, memory just blanked) and find what was on your personal list... enter the folder for it, hit button bottom right, choose delete, done, go back and do the others... then wipe Cache / Dalvik and power off / boot up for the absolute freshest experience you can have with a stock ROM.
The trick is to NOT restore ANYTHING... install all your preferred Google APPs first, do the whole Google Phone install if you removed the stock Phone app, etc... (I remove it and the messenger, and a bunch of other stuff like the gallery, mail, etc... because I solely use Google services now).

I removed my case cover and have been carrying the phone around bare.
It's like I bought a whole new phone.
Have you guys tried a quality AOSP based ROM like Dirty Unicorn or BrokenOS?
Super stability. Nothing at all like running a CM ROM.

Testing cm14 now. Hashbang is doing a great job getting it daily worthy.

nobreak1970 said:
Testing cm14 now. Hashbang is doing a great job getting it daily worthy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cant get it to recognize my sim

unitz0mbie said:
cant get it to recognize my sim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
10/11 build will I bet. :highfive:

What apps/services did you remove? I'm running stock rooted myself and honestly I only see a couple of things I'd get rid of, nothing that would have any real impact on battery/storage though. This phone's stock ROM really is close to AOSP.

same too what apps did you remove tnx.. im not rooted .. tried uninstalling apps and guess what it got temp bootloop.. did hard reset using stock recovery and got fix again started tru welcome menu.... may i know guys what apps not to unistall tnx

Did a side by side comparison of apps in TruePure and stock. I counted 39 apps deleted from TruePure.
Android Live Wallpaper, Basic Daydreams
Bubbles, Calculator
Cloud Print, Com.Android.wallpaper.holospiral
Com.Motorola.audiomonitor.helper
Com.Motorola.bug2go
Com.Motorola.motgeofencesvc
Com.qualcomm.atfwd
Config Updater, CQATest
Demo mode, Device help
DiagMdlog Settings , Entitlement
Google Indic Keyboard , Japanese Input
Google Launcher Config , Korean Input
Pinyin Input , Play Movies
Play Music , Hangouts
Input Devices , Messaging
Moto Care , Moto Care int
Motorola Boot Services , Motorola Checkin
Motorola Notifications , Motorola One Time Init
Motorola Update Services
Native Drop Box Agent , Phase Beam
Rescue Add-on: Motorola
Sheets , Slides , Talk Back
I only deleted the extra Keyboards, Play Movies, Music, Hangouts, Sheets, Slides and Talk Back to be sure I had enough space for Xposed.

General question on changing ROM in device

Hi there,
Few months ago, I was told in XDA site that nowadays changing the ROM is not anymore the best way to de-google a device. Now it is better to de-bloat and tweak the device.
Do you agree with this statement?
Did you change the ROM in your device or only de-bloated it? Tell me your experience. Easy to install, need to root, unblock the bootloader, update, what is NOT working, speed, battery, ...?
I own a Samung Tablet S5e LTE few months old, under guaranty and would like to de-google it. I was thinking to change the ROM, is tit the best way?
What is your advice? If needed, what ROM to use? What way, software to de-bloat?
Many thanks

MrNice said:
Hi there,
Few months ago, I was told in XDA site that nowadays changing the ROM is not anymore the best way to de-google a device. Now it is better to de-bloat and tweak the device.
Do you agree with this statement?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fully agree with this.

Thank you for your fast answer.
Could you be more specific and tell me why, how (big picture) and if you have experience what tools did you use?

People most times use terms "De-google" and "De-bloat" not knowing what they are really speaking of.
The Vanilla Android ( read: AOSP - today often called GSI ) is totally free of apps developed by Google ( topic: GMS ) and the service ( GFS ) they need to run, this because NOBODY basically needs these to operate a phone. But the overwhelming majority of the users of mobile devices want an Android what is extended by features, so they can download & install more apps, play games, listen to music, watch porn videos. OEMs respect this wish - they want to sell their products - and therefore typically add GMS & GFS to their Android OS, so it in reality becomes a Custom ROM.
Resume: Vanilla Android - and all ROMS that are based on Vanilla Android ( like Lineage OS and many others ) must not get "De-googled".
Bloatware ( or Potentially Unwanted Programs - PUP ) is software users don’t want, that burdens and slows down a mobile device. It usually comes pre-installed by vendors, manufacturers or carriers. IMO "De-bloating" is the first thing a user should do when starting up a new device.
Bloatware typically is installed as system-app, hence phone's Android must got rooted before you can start "De-bloating".

As I am not very skilled in Android, I appreciate your post.
I installed LineageOS 17.1 on my Samsung S6, it working fine, I am happy for the usage but the only issue I have is that I can't update. This is another story in another XDA forum.
My need are usual plus
Read books, music sheets, social networks, Internet TV, news, training, conference (low bit-rate), email, messaging, GPS travel, basic pictures,
some specific app for music practice (tuner, metronome), veg gardening (I need to find one suitable for me).
but no game, no HD movie (download or stream), no large download
Backup locally (I need to learn more), no cloud usage.
As I run GNU/Linux for around 20 y, I hate to have to register for account in any app from GAFAM and I don't want as much as possible give them my data. I try to select the app without tracker, FOSS and I block the permissions as much as possible.
If I can de-google this is the best for my mindset.
I understand that de-google or de-bloat, I 'll have to root so break Knox. Right?
I don't know if I need GMS and/or GFS for my use. Could you tell me? For what app it is mandatory?
With my S5e I want to be more cautious, I need a way as secure as possible to not brick it.
With all these info, what do you advice?

MrNice said:
Hi there,
Few months ago, I was told in XDA site that nowadays changing the ROM is not anymore the best way to de-google a device. Now it is better to de-bloat and tweak the device.
Do you agree with this statement?
Did you change the ROM in your device or only de-bloated it? Tell me your experience. Easy to install, need to root, unblock the bootloader, update, what is NOT working, speed, battery, ...?
I own a Samung Tablet S5e LTE few months old, under guaranty and would like to de-google it. I was thinking to change the ROM, is tit the best way?
What is your advice? If needed, what ROM to use? What way, software to de-bloat?
Many thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the Tab S5e de-googling it is next to impossible with stock samsung rom. LOS works great on it and not too difficult to install, CRDroid works well on it but is better with google installed, /e/ rom was being developed for it but I don't know if they are still working on it. I built an /e/ rom locally for my Tab S5e last year and it worked very well. If you want to get away from google you need to ditch the OneUI or whatever they are calling it.

tek3195 said:
For the Tab S5e de-googling it is next to impossible with stock samsung rom. LOS works great on it and not too difficult to install, CRDroid works well on it but is better with google installed, /e/ rom was being developed for it but I don't know if they are still working on it. I built an /e/ rom locally for my Tab S5e last year and it worked very well. If you want to get away from google you need to ditch the OneUI or whatever they are calling it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for you advice, I'll work on it soon.