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[Q] Why was is necessary to root your Nexus S?

I've been contemplating on rooting my Nexus S, since I've done so on my G2 and G1 since it was necessary since their stock roms were slow but I don't see anything wrong with the Nexus S at all. Also, I definitely think the unlock picture on a rooted Nexus S is ugly.
Anyways, post why it was necessary to root your Nexus S besides the fact that you're an android-fanatic
What do you use which needed root?

- Titanium Backup
- Flashing ROMs (Doesn't require root, but its a gateway toward flashing)
- Custom Kernels
Basically, I mess with my phone because stock is boring and not flashing/rooting your phone is well... BORING!
Exciten things up.

Let's not forget the amazing Chainfire 3D!

My first move is always rooting and flashing a stock deodex rom so I can theme it.
Also I use apps for security as well like droid wall, orbot, lbe privacy guard, my backup pro, lookout, which mostly require root.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

lapalways05 said:
I've been contemplating on rooting my Nexus S, since I've done so on my G2 and G1 since it was necessary since their stock roms were slow but I don't see anything wrong with the Nexus S at all. Also, I definitely think the unlock picture on a rooted Nexus S is ugly.
Anyways, post why it was necessary to root your Nexus S besides the fact that you're an android-fanatic
What do you use which needed root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to delete apk's Ill never use.

Voodoo
Bln (change kernel)
Atomic clock sync
Market enabler
Ahh, and flashing some roms when i'm bored...
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

can't use ad free or mlb at bat on ns4g without root
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App

I have not found a compelling reason to root yet, either.
I rooted both my previous Galaxy S and Vibrant, but that was because they were performing poorly and Samsung is the worst at upgrading their [email protected] software.
But the Nexus S has been pretty stable and I've seen nothing to make me root and play with ROMs (and I am weary of getting back into the WM6 cycle of constantly flashing, hoping that the next build will be the one stable one....)
I have settled on MIUI.ADW.Launcher as my default (using Suave HD icons http://macthemes.net/forum/viewtopic.php?id=16804800, which I actually like better than the MIUI ROM), so I really can't see a reason (yet) for going through the hassle of rooting and flashing with this one.

really thats what this whole community is based on, if you are not gonna root it, then you CANT do anything thats discussed here at XDA. I mean I dont even hesitate to root a phone as soon as I get it. Actually make sure I can root a device before I buy it

Yeah, I always think like that too, espcially with htc devices I love pure android and if i were to get any htc or custom skinned phones I would root to change rom but the nexus s non rooted is pretty stable and looking at the rom development in nexus s, majority of it is AOSP-based. but thanks for the replies guys! I think I'll stick to non-rooted until something cool pop ups that needs root or if i wanna further customize
ps: Man saying this, I feel like a traitor to xda and I shouldn't even be here lol
PS PS: one reason for me wanting to root the phone before g etting is was to get HD video but it's unfortunately a hardware problem. blah oh well

Voodoo sound and color
BLN
ext4 speed mod

You guys keep posting things that don't require root
I only recently rooted so I could take screen shots. However my bootloader has been unlocked since the day I got the phone
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Well, BLN, overclocking and the fact that I want to have full control of my device
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App

lapalways05 said:
I've been contemplating on rooting my Nexus S, since I've done so on my G2 and G1 since it was necessary since their stock roms were slow but I don't see anything wrong with the Nexus S at all. Also, I definitely think the unlock picture on a rooted Nexus S is ugly.
Anyways, post why it was necessary to root your Nexus S besides the fact that you're an android-fanatic
What do you use which needed root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I originally did it for BLN.
Just relock it when you are done - no unlock picture

I have a question for u why isnt it necessary lol.
But all in all it unleashes more fun for u and the phone. More roms more apps more battery more power. More jealousy from people that dont have one
Delete unwanted apps etc tweak stuff up
Sent from my Sensational Phone using XDA Premium App

well depending on network, it unlocks the wifi hotspot capability

I mean, I've rooted my phones before but the Nexus S has no problems with speed, its filled with only google apps no bloatware, it's pretty fast already, and I'm always on XDA to find more android development but I couldn't find a reason to root the phone so I just wanted to see what you guys specifically root it for

Same here i used to root my phones like g1 and vibrant. But i dont find a reason to do so now as everything i need already works.
Keeping it stock i can get the latest update directly from google asap

the primary reason was the addiction to flash. The will to try all the roms that comes out

My addiction that started with the og Droid of flashing something new to my phone just for the hell of it.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

Reason to root/custom Rom?

I've had a droid eris back in the day and that practically required a custom Rom in order to run well...with the s3 which has better stats than some of the computers I work with...what IS the advantage of rooting or using a custom Rom? We can install apks from unknown sources without root(sadly my nook tablet had to be rooted to do that)...we can disable most if not all the bloatware without root...we have plenty of on board storage so no absolute need to delete even the bloatware....just curious as to why you do root? Is it just the "geek"thing to do? Is the battery life that much better? Can't see it being much faster...I do however appreciate all the work people are doing developing for this device as I believe it will extend its life...so without further ado give me your reasons why you root/custom Rom....specifically this device?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

I root to use ad free, titanium backup, some of the extra features in tasker and occasionally Wi-Fi tether. Roms also bring features that were left out such as a brightness slider in the notifications, jelly bean animations and further optimizations are usually included. Plus there are those countless mods and themes that take care of your minor annoyances, and set your color/icon preferences just right.
Overall it makes a great phone even better
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

First of all this should be In q&a but besides that customs roms from this phone will 1. Get you better battery life 2. Give you features that are desired from other phones 3. Give more customization options to the user 4. Well I mean better performance but its already blazing fast so its not too noticeable
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

Feel free to move this thread if it should be in q&a....and ty for the responses already I'm still debating on rooting/roming my phone(even though my nook tablet I rooted/cm9 installed it the moment I got it lol) she some reason I'm more cautious with this a device than any other but from what I've read and what you all have said the advantages of rooting and using a custom Rom still apply even for as beefy a device as the g3....maybe I'll get bored later and try it out...another ? that may have been answered..does the k exec kernel lock out one of the cores? Thought I saw someone say that
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

That picture is the main reason I root. Granted that is mostly standby but it is still amazing. I also like to use AdFree Android to get rid of any ads that may come up on my device. With this phone you mentioned it can't get much smoother and I agree. I am currently running a custom kernel with the Synergy ROM and I have my phone underclocked to 1.1GHz and it feels like it is still on stock because of what Synergy did to make the phone faster. Saves on battery A LOT in my opinion. If you are on the fence about rooting and ROMing I say go for it. The worst that will happen is you don't see the need and you Odin back to stock which will take you about 10 minutes. :laugh:

Excessiveidling said:
Feel free to move this thread if it should be in q&a....and ty for the responses already I'm still debating on rooting/roming my phone(even though my nook tablet I rooted/cm9 installed it the moment I got it lol) she some reason I'm more cautious with this a device than any other but from what I've read and what you all have said the advantages of rooting and using a custom Rom still apply even for as beefy a device as the g3....maybe I'll get bored later and try it out...another ? that may have been answered..does the k exec kernel lock out one of the cores? Thought I saw someone say that
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The rooting process for this phone is pain free and only takes a couple of minutes. At the very least, I would say root it and play around with some of the mods. I went about a week after I got my phone going stock/rooted and it was great, but Bean's Rom and Synergy are both fantastic.
And fwiw, kexec doesn't lock out a core.

Originally, my sole reason for rooting was to get rid of that annoying Verizon wifi notification/add back the wifi toggle.
In the process, I discovered SynergyROM, which seems promising. It has lots of customization options, including being able to choose which toggle you have. Not to mention, it also boosts you data/wifi speeds and gives phenomenal battery life.
Honestly, if I were on AT&T or some other network that didn't have the BS wifi notification, I wouldn't even have bothered rooting until my second year into the device, like I did with my Droid Eris.
On a side note: whoohoo! Ex Droid Eris buddy!

Actual Root
Relentless D said:
The rooting process for this phone is pain free and only takes a couple of minutes. At the very least, I would say root it and play around with some of the mods. I went about a week after I got my phone going stock/rooted and it was great, but Bean's Rom and Synergy are both fantastic.
And fwiw, kexec doesn't lock out a core.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you referring to the work around root? And if so, will the work around yield the same results as having actually rooted the phone? I'm asking this cause I was under the impression Verizon still has the boot loader locked.

mal001 said:
Are you referring to the work around root? And if so, will the work around yield the same results as having actually rooted the phone? I'm asking this cause I was under the impression Verizon still has the boot loader locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Bootloader is still locked but you don't need it unlocked to root. There are workarounds (Kexec) for flashing roms.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1792342&

Relentless D said:
The Bootloader is still locked but you don't need it unlocked to root. There are workarounds (Kexec) for flashing roms.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1792342&
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash Custom ROMs without kexec. You need to use kexec to flash custom kernels. Assuming you consider ROMs like synergy custom and don't only consider AOSP ROMs custom.

Haro912 said:
You can flash Custom ROMs without kexec. You need to use kexec to flash custom kernels. Assuming you consider ROMs like synergy custom and don't only consider AOSP ROMs custom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True. But despite my poor wording the point was that the locked bootloader doesn't mean we can't flash roms

Relentless D said:
True. But despite my poor wording the point was that the locked bootloader doesn't mean we can't flash roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I know I just didn't want someone thinking they had to understand kexec to flash a TW rom with the stock kernel.

miui
Haro912 said:
Yeah I know I just didn't want someone thinking they had to understand kexec to flash a TW rom with the stock kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I habe rooted my s3 To be able To install miui which I think is the most beautiful Rom for the android

Excessiveidling said:
I've had a droid eris back in the day and that practically required a custom Rom in order to run well...with the s3 which has better stats than some of the computers I work with...what IS the advantage of rooting or using a custom Rom? We can install apks from unknown sources without root(sadly my nook tablet had to be rooted to do that)...we can disable most if not all the bloatware without root...we have plenty of on board storage so no absolute need to delete even the bloatware....just curious as to why you do root? Is it just the "geek"thing to do? Is the battery life that much better? Can't see it being much faster...I do however appreciate all the work people are doing developing for this device as I believe it will extend its life...so without further ado give me your reasons why you root/custom Rom....specifically this device?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To get rid of the 'ongoing' wifi notification and put back the wifi toggle back in there too. That was my sole reason and have actually been okay with touchwiz so far.

I rooted to get root explorer
I would have left it alone but cut and paste self-corrupted and I needed root explorer to fix this
Since I was rooted anyway, I decided to install a rom to eliminate the wi fi notification too

asmallchild said:
I rooted to get root explorer
I would have left it alone but cut and paste self-corrupted and I needed root explorer to fix this
Since I was rooted anyway, I decided to install a rom to eliminate the wi fi notification too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had my S3 all of a day before I got the root itch. And that was after having an original moto droid rooted for over 2+ years.
I just like knowing I have the extra control if I need it.

Google now
Sent from my Xoom using xda app-developers app

dunderball said:
To get rid of the 'ongoing' wifi notification and put back the wifi toggle back in there too. That was my sole reason and have actually been okay with touchwiz so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get rid of the wifi notification without rooting.*#6335623#
There, now no reason to root

My BIGGEST reason for rooting is because of updates. Anyone notice how the phones from the manufacturers just keep coming out back to back? I am tired of the fact that i can go buy a new just released phone, and before the first year is out, it seems the manufacturer quits updating the software. for example, if ICS came with the phone, unless it is the flagship phone, majority of the phones will not see a JB version. Even if the phone has not even been out for a year ( still under the 1 year warranty). this to me is BS, i think that they should be required to update all the software (assuming the HW can handle it) at least during the warranty period. they seem to just want you to buy a new phone to get the software. Rooting usually allows me to have access to the tools to update the phone myself through another Rom. I also like to have choices.

xsteven77x said:
You can get rid of the wifi notification without rooting.*#6335623#
There, now no reason to root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't "get rid of" the wifi notification it disables it. It's still there, regardless of whether wifi is turned on or off, but now it just does nothing when you press on it. Personally, if it's going to be there either way, I'd rather it actually do something.
Getting to the original question:
Although I haven't rooted yet (I like to ride out my warranty first), here are the top reasons why I would do it:
- AdAway
- Titanium Backup
- Fully Functional Nova Launcher (read: widgets in drawer)
- ROMs & Mods
On my old Incredible, it was more for AdAway, Titianium, and other root-needing apps. Only later once ICS came out did I really dive into new ROMS.
This phone on the other hand, needs a new ROM right away! There are just too many things that piss me off about TouchWiz.
Things like:
- No Screenshot in Power Menu
- Toggles in notification pane not configurable
- Ongoing Wifi Notification instead of a Toggle
- No brightness slider in notification pane
- Manual arrangement of icons in a folder doesn't stick for more than a week
- App drawer icon isn't centered
- "Audio Applications" menu that shows up in notification pane when headphone are connected can't be configured to show apps I actually use
- No audio controls on lockscreen (standard lockscreen)
- Audio doesn't pause automatically when I unplug my headphones
- Audio sometimes starts up randomly when I plug in my headphones
- Audio volume steps down to ~85% when plugging in headphones
- Headphones/Speakers have separate volumes
And those are just the things that come to mind immediately.

Why root a Nexus 5?

Hi guys,
Just got a Nexus 5, had previously had a Samsung Galaxy S3.
My S3 was rooted, mainly to get rid of carrier bloatware and later because I wanted the Android 4.2 camera with Photosphere (my carrier was stuck on 4.1 until a few months ago).
As time wore on my device had numerous problems ultimately I felt related to rooting, I could never find ROM's with at least one major glitch. I ended up on a stock ROM for most the time with the only root change was flashing the 4.2 camera for Photosphere. Rooting in general I found caused more headaches than it was worth.
Anyways, I just got the Nexus 5 and have no real intention to root it. Since it's devoid of carrier bloatware and it runs super fast and responsive, just wondering what the real credible benefits to rooting it are? (and voiding warranty in the process)??
I don't see a lot of bloatware on the device, it's going to get constant updates from Google (as opposed to devices depandant on a carrier), I don't really need to overclock or mess with kernals on an already fast device.
Am I missing something here?

Sianspheric said:
Hi guys,
Just got a Nexus 5, had previously had a Samsung Galaxy S3.
My S3 was rooted, mainly to get rid of carrier bloatware and later because I wanted the Android 4.2 camera with Photosphere (my carrier was stuck on 4.1 until a few months ago).
As time wore on my device had numerous problems ultimately I felt related to rooting, I could never find ROM's with at least one major glitch. I ended up on a stock ROM for most the time with the only root change was flashing the 4.2 camera for Photosphere. Rooting in general I found caused more headaches than it was worth.
Anyways, I just got the Nexus 5 and have no real intention to root it. Since it's devoid of carrier bloatware and it runs super fast and responsive, just wondering what the real credible benefits to rooting it are? (and voiding warranty in the process)??
I don't see a lot of bloatware on the device, it's going to get constant updates from Google (as opposed to devices depandant on a carrier), I don't really need to overclock or mess with kernals on an already fast device.
Am I missing something here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people prefer different launchers or ROMs or to have access to certain functions (e.g. full backup) that require root. I've had my N5 for a month and haven't felt the need for it, so I'm still stock, locked, unrooted.

Xposed for me.
Most of the mods from Custom ROMs with the OTA updates from Google
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium HD app

Xposed framework, Adaway, Lmt launcher, AppOps, AutomateIt Pro... Basicly everything to take control over your device.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

So.....ad blocking apps, minor tweaks, custom ROM's.
eh, not really compelling reasons for me I guess.

Sianspheric said:
So.....ad blocking apps, minor tweaks, custom ROM's.
eh, not really compelling reasons for me I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't call them minor tweaks at all. There is an extremely wide variety of things that require your phone to be rooted. Often times an app will have limited functionality without root.
Please note that rooting your phone has nothing to do with using a custom rom. (You can in fact have a custom rom that is not rooted) Your problems with your prior phone were not in any way as a result of rooting the phone. If you had problems with the rom (sometimes custom roms have broken components) that has nothing to do with having root access.
At this point, I'd be willing to bet the most common usage of the phone at this point (amongst users of this site) are those who are rooted, but still using the stock rom. More and more users are migrating to the custom roms, but this is because rom development takes a bit of time with major releases.

AdAway is the main reason for me - I HATE adverts with a passion!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

Sianspheric said:
So.....ad blocking apps, minor tweaks, custom ROM's.
eh, not really compelling reasons for me I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what you consider "minor tweaks", might be a big deal for someone else. Tastes differ.
i root because of 1 main reason, i paid for the device and i believe i should be able to have full control over it.
Another thing is, whatever i do with my phone, i always know what i'm doing and why i'm doing it, so the odds of screwing something up are very little. In case i do need to claim warranty, i know how to set everything back.

Sianspheric said:
So.....ad blocking apps, minor tweaks, custom ROM's.
eh, not really compelling reasons for me I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ehm...why did you buy a nexus? Actually i don't even know what you are doing on xda. No offense but... Sound more like an iPhone kind a guy...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

It's up to you whether to root or not. Whatever problems you had with your previous device, it wasn't due to rooting persay, but rather what you did with root access. Rooting doesn't change anything, it just gives you administrative access to the operating system. Running un-rooted is analogous to accessing your desktop PC through a guest account. Rooting your Android device gives you full access like you have on your desktop as as an administrator.

He just wants to know the benefits. No need to harp on him for not wanting to root. If anything Nexus 5 has less reasons to be rooted then OEM phones.

bblzd said:
He just wants to know the benefits. No need to harp on him for not wanting to root. If anything Nexus 5 has less reasons to be rooted then OEM phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe someday he'll want to tether.

AT LEAST UNLOCK THE BOOTLOADER
Fastboot OEM Unlock
That easy, it'll erase EVERYTHING. So if you do it now you won't lose much. Do it later when you want to root (like my mother and myself) you'll have to unlock and lose everything.
If you ever need you return it just lock it again it's easy. And you won't lose ANYTHING for relocking it.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Two words....
Franco kernel
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Titanium back up because I'm too lazy to reinstall all of my apps on my previous device.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Not much reason to if your main use is as a "daily driver".
Mine is rooted mainly due to needing to use it for development work related to my job, but ad blocking and several xposed modules would require root anyways. That and I just can't help but mess with stuff like CPU frequency/voltage settings, etc.

Ben36 said:
Two words....
Franco kernel
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second this.

I was previously on Galaxy S2 rooted. I'd tested some custom roms like chamaleon, cm, but at last, what i realized that I needed wasn't a lot of new features i only wanted a good battery performance and a fc and random reboots free phone.
So I returned to stock roms with the more stock-like rooted kernel with Xposed and some additions. At last I got a good battery performance to keep the phone full day without charging.
Now that my N5 is with me for about 6 or 7 weeks I don't need rooting, modding ... nothing. The performance for my daily use is about 30 hours between charges with almost 3 hours with screen on.
That is all I need!
And for backups (i've payed for titanium backup app for my S2) now I use ADB from command line and it's enought for me
Also, the Nexus in this conditions hasn't hanged yet.
It spent more than 350 hours until I decided to change to Dart and I had to restart the phone. this is much better than my old S2 that needed two or three weekly reboots even with stock rom.
So, i'm very happy with my non-rooted N5 but if I need to root it in the near future it will be not a problem to me doing it.

I use it for Titanium Backup myself, whose backups I periodically have uploaded to Box.com. Obviously it's there for when I want to change phone and want to restore app data, especially for game saves, but you also never know if your phone is going to malfunction and you have to wipe or get lost/stolen. I think it's pretty useful to have an app that automatically takes care of backing up your data for you.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

http://lifehacker.com/top-10-reasons-to-root-your-android-phone-1079161983
Sent from my Nexus 5

Good bye Galaxy S4 and HELLOOO Nexus 5

I just took a gamble and canceled my Verizon account and switched to AT&T just to get the Nexus 5. I must say I do not miss the S4 one bit. Google made it so easy to root and unlock the bootloader. The phone is incredibly fast! I like how its simple to use. An example is the camera. You open it and shoot pictures. Samsung camera had so many different features that just wanted needed and probably bogged down the phone.
Now that I have my phone setup I just wanted to see if theres anything you guys recommend. I am rooted with the bootloader unlocked but I kept the stock rom. With the stock rom I got Gravity box to let me customize the rom to my liking. I also got greenify(donate version).
Is there anything in particular you guys recommend?
Heres a list of apps Im using.
Weather:1Weather
Launcher:Nova Launcher
File Browser:Solid Explorer
Backup:Titanium Backup
Power Toggles
Do you guys recommend anything else useful or cool? Am I wrong for not wanting to do roms? I just want the most stable I can get. Ive noticed in the past that once you start romming that things become unstable.

ponzi314 said:
I just took a gamble and canceled my Verizon account and switched to AT&T just to get the Nexus 5. I must say I do not miss the S4 one bit. Google made it so easy to root and unlock the bootloader. The phone is incredibly fast! I like how its simple to use. An example is the camera. You open it and shoot pictures. Samsung camera had so many different features that just wanted needed and probably bogged down the phone.
Now that I have my phone setup I just wanted to see if theres anything you guys recommend. I am rooted with the bootloader unlocked but I kept the stock rom. With the stock rom I got Gravity box to let me customize the rom to my liking. I also got greenify(donate version).
Is there anything in particular you guys recommend?
Heres a list of apps Im using.
Weather:1Weather
Launcher:Nova Launcher
File Browser:Solid Explorer
Backup:Titanium Backup
Power Toggles
Do you guys recommend anything else useful or cool? Am I wrong for not wanting to do roms? I just want the most stable I can get. Ive noticed in the past that once you start romming that things become unstable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's nothing wrong with flashing a ROM. Makes the phone far more customizable and in most cases, improves performance. If you don't like it just revert back.
A root app I would recommend is 'Greenify'. Some people believe it is useless, however on my old single core phone, it was quite dramatic. So you might as well use it.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

james1196 said:
There's nothing wrong with flashing a ROM. Makes the phone far more customizable and in most cases, improves performance. If you don't like it just revert back.
A root app I would recommend is 'Greenify'. Some people believe it is useless, however on my old single core phone, it was quite dramatic. So you might as well use it.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea i got the donate version of that. Mainly because one night i charged phone to 100% and unplugged it. In the morning it was at 75% I was shocked. I put greenify on there and did the same thing. What a difference. Work up with 97% battery.

Congrats I did the same but went with tmo about 9 months ago. So happy!
Check out xposed and the module gravity box. It's all I run. It's all you need to run (imo).... Root required but I use stock Google rom with stock kernel. No need for custom kernels or roms (imo)
Fwiw I don't use anything else. No need to greenify anything (again imo)
Nexus5

Galaxy s Relay on AT&T network, non-working apps

I purchase the phone for a relative. Since he is on AT&T network, I figure I had to prep the phone. So far I have done the following:
1. Simm unlocked the phone. Tested using a Lycamobile pay as you go, which worked immediately after unlocking.
2. Update ROM to jelly bean. Benchmark indicated that it is faster.
However, the phone has a lot of Tmobile related stuff on it. For example
* I keep getting a popup saying that wifi calling isn't working. I believe this is a tmobile feature. I turned it off but it keeps notifying me that it's not turned on.
* There appears to be a list of stuff that may not be working:
Mobile Hotspot
Mobile Widget
Tmobile My account
Tmobile Name ID
Tmobile TV
If I get root, can they be deleted? If they are deleted, will this cause crashes? How do we get them back if say the person switches to Tmobile?
I also had some difficulty with the interface. Touchwiz is apparently different enough from stock to make things difficult. Hopefully, it won't be confusing to the user.
Paul

paul.siu said:
Benchmark indicated that it is faster.
Paul
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which benchmark did you use?

dezmond06 said:
Which benchmark did you use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Antutu and Quadrant.
Paul

Above stated apps can be easily deleted without any consequences. I've made it also.
Deletion can be done through cmd or via uninstaller-apps (Titanium e.g.). Root required.
However you cannot revert to them again after deletion therefore it makes sense to backup them if you want.
WiFi-Calling can be switched off through Settings->More settings->WiFi-Calling->Disabled.
No notifications, no popups at all.

Being your relative is on att then you will find it best to root the phone and get rid of any T-Mobile garbage, better yet just use one of the many amazing custom ROMs here which are far better/faster/more stable than stock and won't come with any T-Mobile apps
Best of luck!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

demkantor said:
Being your relative is on att then you will find it best to root the phone and get rid of any T-Mobile garbage, better yet just use one of the many amazing custom ROMs here which are far better/faster/more stable than stock and won't come with any T-Mobile apps
Best of luck!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Well, he's not the custom rom sort of guy. He probably want stock everything. This is the first time I used Touchwiz, and I have to say that I am not a fan. When you install an app, it's not sorted in any reasonable order and it took me a while to figure out how to hide the keyboard.
What's the best way to backup the phone?
Paul

Backup in recovery, then try some custom ROMs out. Even if he isn't a custom ROM sorta guy he will be better with one, besides most are closer to stock android than any touchwiz ROM anyway.
But of course choice is between you and him
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

paul.siu said:
Well, he's not the custom rom sort of guy. He probably want stock everything. This is the first time I used Touchwiz, and I have to say that I am not a fan. When you install an app, it's not sorted in any reasonable order and it took me a while to figure out how to hide the keyboard.
What's the best way to backup the phone?
Paul
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I would root the phone and install a custom recovery, then you can back up the stock ROM. You will have to be rooted to delete system apps, anyway. If you decide to stay with the stock ROM, you can use an app (l use App Master in the Play Store) to delete all the proprietary garbage you don't want. This app let's you create a little recovery file of the deleted apps, if you want to put them back some day. Just clearing away the stuff you don't need will help but I would still go with a custom ROM, especially since you're going to all the trouble already.

It appears that you can just disable the app through the app manager. I disable to tmobile app that way so that the effect is not permanent.
Paul

paul.siu said:
It appears that you can just disable the app through the app manager. I disable to tmobile app that way so that the effect is not permanent.
Paul
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Please remember that the Relay has been abandoned by the manufacturer. Unpatched and outdated OS software is risky on any computer--including a mobile device. For your friend's safety and privacy, you really should consider abandoning the out of date "stock" operating system (that will never be patched).
There is an official release of CyanogenMod available that can automatically update. Any owner of a Relay would be a fool to stick with the stock Jelly Bean Touchwiz.
Just my two cents.

FYI to whoever needs this, I recently started using my Relay on ATT and it works great. 4G is faster than tmobile's. And i'm on a custom ROM.