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Hi guys,
I've been playing around with my Nexus S for about 3 weeks and I've decided to root it, but I have some question, I've been searching the answers in older posts but it's not quite clear yet, hope you can help me.
When I unlocked the bootloader, what kind of data will be wiped? It's just the SD card or also all the apps I've already downloaded? what about SMS, pictures and videos?
Is there anyway I can backup that data considering I haven't root it yet???
Thanks in advance.
dont do it man. i just got my phone yesterday at 1 pm and its now 12am and its bricked by lack of support from the cummunity. i studyied and studied 4 around 10 hours. then bricked my device. and i have a good idea i wont be getting a replacement this time
LINKSLOVESANDROID said:
dont do it man. i just got my phone yesterday at 1 pm and its now 12am and its bricked by lack of support from the cummunity. i studyied and studied 4 around 10 hours. then bricked my device. and i have a good idea i wont be getting a replacement this time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol what? its nobodys fault but your own. all the resources are available, just because somebody isnt responding to your threads and holding your hand to restore a nandriod backup doesnt make it a "lack of a community".. and your phone isn't bricked, it can be recovered but you are too close-minded and cant install Clockwork Recovery / get drivers working
The data that will be wiped are most likely your SMS/settings/etc. This is standard procedure. And its something you'll go through a lot when you are using custom ROMs.
There are complete instructions for rooting, unrooting and unbricking your phone. It's all here in the forums, and many other places, you just have to look and learn. I read for two weeks before I unlocked and loaded a ROM into my NS.
If you don't have a need to root your phone I wouldn't do it just because you can. I wanted to run the Voodoo app so I had to root and load a ROM. It took a little while but it was painless and I liked learning about the Android system.
You do have to backup your app and your SD, but that was the easy part.
It's close to impossible to brick a nexus device. They purposely come with totally open boot loaders specifically for that purpose!
RogerPodacter said:
It's close to impossible to brick a nexus device. They purposely come with totally open boot loaders specifically for that purpose!
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Click to collapse
its not only Nexus devices but like I said people are using the term brick wrong. with these new phones coming out, a lot of them are hard to brick.
if you're phone is able to get into recovery/start/download mode (odin not popular but still an option)/bootloader then its not bricked.
if its unable to start in any form or way.. its considered a brick. please stop using the term in its wrong definition.
"brick" describes a device that cannot function in any capacity (such as a device with damaged firmware)
In the strictest sense of the term, bricking must imply that software error has rendered the device completely unrecoverable without some hardware replacement.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brick_(electronics)
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Click to collapse
I think guys you have lost focus about my question, it's not about how to root (there is a lot of info about), it's about what kind of data will be wiped and how to back it up
Netconn said:
You do have to backup your app and your SD, but that was the easy part.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the best way to do it? It's there an app or I have to day it by myself?
Make a nandroid backup first and foremost! Use Titanium Backup to make a backup of all your apps. If you want a backup of your sms, go sms pro really does a great job of that. Dont forget your contacts as well! Then copy your sd card and place it on the hard drive of your computer. When you unlock the bootloader, it does wipe your sd card. Once your unlocked and rooted, you should be able to restore everything once you replace the copy of your sd card back on the phone. Coming over from a Vibrant, I was nervous about rooting the phone but its an easy process. Just take your time and do lots of reading! Hope this helps!
Thenx, but I still have one doubt, if I haven't root my phone yet, will nandroid or titanium work?
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Woops..yeah, your right there. Too quick to reply. I followed this method here..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=895545
and had no problems. Once you get unlocked/rooted and clockwork recovery, then you can make the fore mentioned backups. Export your contacts to the sd card then copy the sd card to the hard drive of your computer before unlocking the boot loader. I do not think apps get affected during the sd wipe unless you have them stored there.
zephiK said:
its not only Nexus devices but like I said people are using the term brick wrong. with these new phones coming out, a lot of them are hard to brick.
if you're phone is able to get into recovery/start/download mode (odin not popular but still an option)/bootloader then its not bricked.
if its unable to start in any form or way.. its considered a brick. please stop using the term in its wrong definition.
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Click to collapse
i followed the instructions to flash gri74 back to stock and my phone wont turn on, wont goto any mode, wont read that its hookedup to my pc
isnt that what we call a brick? ive had issues on a galaxy s with this game issue. htc devices i can fly through the root procedure but i got this 1 rooted, tried reflashing to stock and the phone wont turn on at all.
may i suggest a noob proof guide|? i postted 1 in the htc desire forum and people love it. yesterday i returned a moto xoom because ti was overheating , got a nexus s and 2day il b returning that because it wont turn on. can any1 help me think of a good idea i can tell the future shop return people?
kmhil said:
I think guys you have lost focus about my question, it's not about how to root (there is a lot of info about), it's about what kind of data will be wiped and how to back it up
What's the best way to do it? It's there an app or I have to day it by myself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are forced to lose your data to initially root your device. then after that point, you can always create backups and never lose data again while you switch between ROMs and flashing etc. but i think to initially root, you have to lose everything. not the sd card though.
LINKSLOVESANDROID said:
i followed the instructions to flash gri74 back to stock and my phone wont turn on, wont goto any mode, wont read that its hookedup to my pc
isnt that what we call a brick? ive had issues on a galaxy s with this game issue. htc devices i can fly through the root procedure but i got this 1 rooted, tried reflashing to stock and the phone wont turn on at all.
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Click to collapse
Do keep in mind, we don't have an i9020 or an i9023, we have an i9020A So the instruction out there all need to take that into considerations. I rooted mine fine with no "Bricking" I had to follow the instruction for the i9023, but it worked. I figure it took me all of 1 minute to root my phone. Admitedly, the "One click root" for the Galaxy series was easier.
I try to make it a point to never be the "First" person to do something on their phone. Much safer that way.
I also find it very unusual that you've managed to brick two phones, I've also had the pleasure of owning the telus fascinate, and not once did i get it bricked, I tried Bionics, CM7, Darky's and a bunch of other ones. Just never mess with the boot loader. When you went back to stock, did you make sure it was a stock ROM for the I9020A?
Have you tried connecting the USB to a computer, holding the volume up (or in the case of the galaxy, both up and down) While powering on the device? I've had to use that a few times to recover my galaxy (Thank you odin!!).
Now in regards to the OP, I would recommend using a program like Ti to back everything up, unlock the bootloader then restore from Ti, it's a little more hassel, but you can pretty much keep your settings and data. Personally, i rooted my phone before configuring a single thing on it.
kmhil said:
Thenx, but I still have one doubt, if I haven't root my phone yet, will nandroid or titanium work?
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
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Click to collapse
there is no way to make a good backup without rooting.
basically yes, you will lose all your settings
there are a few apps you can use to backup your apk before unlocing/rooting the phone.
look for App admin on market https://market.android.com/details?id=az.mecid.appadmin&feature=search_result
the stuff backed to SD does not get wiped
only the internal storage stuff
LINKSLOVESANDROID said:
dont do it man. i just got my phone yesterday at 1 pm and its now 12am and its bricked by lack of support from the cummunity. i studyied and studied 4 around 10 hours. then bricked my device. and i have a good idea i wont be getting a replacement this time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i took about 12 minutes total to unlock my bootloader, flash clockwork, and flash a custom rom. its not difficult if you pay attention to what you read. youre phone is not bricked. btw, i read your threads. if you werent so demanding, i would have helped. use the pdanet website the next time you need to install the proper driver, and follow the directions that they give you.
When I unlocked I used Astro to back up my apps, I turned on the Google data sync to back up my contacts and I did a back up of my SD on my computer.
When the unlock and recovery was done NS asked for my Google account then it restored all my contacts, Astro restored all my apps and I restored my files from my computer. A few steps but not difficult at all.
You will have to redo your accounts and data, and maybe an app or two won't load but the market will show them installed, just reinstall any that didn't.
Make sure you follow the directions properly in the forum. I had to use two computers to get it to work, but it did work and nothing was damaged.
With all that said.... This was the first time I have ever owned or altered an Android phone. Sure I was nervous... Now I'm hooked.. haha
I wound up using NSCollab .17 so far so good..
First thing I did when I got my phone was fastboot oem unlock.
Even if you don't want to root, use another ROM. Fastboot unlock it so your data doesn't get wiped.
If your hardware and everything seems okay, then flash Clockwork Recovery and do a nandroid backup so you can restore to pre-flashing point if you need it for OEM purposes.
Afterwards, go crazy and flash like theres no tomorrow and find something that you'll like.
And agreed with simms. You've made so made so many threads about this. I would help you step by step but I've been busy so I can't do that anymore. But if you search, you'll find about two or three threads where I did help somebody get their phone to a working state.
The basic idea is... if your phone doesn't boot but you can get to recovery.
- Download a ROM or Nandroid backup
- Install USB drivers
- Fastboot oem unlock (if you haven't)
- fastboot flash recovery recovery.img (or whatever the recovery.img is named) should be in /sdk/tools
- reboot into recovery (adb reboot recovery)
- mount and storage: mount USB, put the nandroid backup or ROM onto phone
- nandroid restore or flash a ROM (wipe factory,dalvik,cache --> flash ROM (if its CM7.. flash gapps afterwards)
- reboot
your phone boots. alternatively, you can use Odin but thats not a popular method but the choice is available if you wish to go towards that approach
in the worse worse possible case scenario there is always ODIN to the rescue
Why did you guys wait at all?
Once i got the phone i immediately plugged it into my computer and rooted it.
I'm getting ready to root my phone, but one thing I haven't been able to figure out is what is the best way to make an image of my stock rom on the AT&T Nexus S before using a tool that's going to delete all my data?
I would really like to make a full system image so that if anything goes wrong, I can flash it back to where it is before the root takes place. Is this possible? Is there a guide out there that I just haven't seen?
Thanks
VillainousVivi said:
I'm getting ready to root my phone, but one thing I haven't been able to figure out is what is the best way to make an image of my stock rom on the AT&T Nexus S before using a tool that's going to delete all my data?
I would really like to make a full system image so that if anything goes wrong, I can flash it back to where it is before the root takes place. Is this possible? Is there a guide out there that I just haven't seen?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i hate saying this, but its true. this should go into the Q&A section, not into development. anyways, i think that you need root for that. but if there is a way, i think that it would be through adb.
Not a problem, if a mod can move it, that'd be great. I thought that a backup before making modifications would fall under the realm of development. After all, without a good backup, I wouldn't want to make too many changes
VillainousVivi said:
Not a problem, if a mod can move it, that'd be great. I thought that a backup before making modifications would fall under the realm of development. After all, without a good backup, I wouldn't want to make too many changes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what you want is to perform a nandroid backup, and you can do that through a custom recovery. you either need to unlock your bootloader for that(which wipes your phone and sd storage) or you can search how to root without unlocking the bootloader, root it, and use rom manager to flash a recovery/perform a nandroid backup without wiping but getting root.
Just use my back up pro to back up whatever that app will allow. Then copy over all your SDCard contents to your computer....Google takes care of contacts and apps....
Sent using two tin cans and some string.....
Hi, tomorrow I'm getting a nexus 7 (2013), and it's going to be my first android device, the thing is, as the first android device, I don't want to screw it up as soon as I get it.
There are some apps which I would like to get for it, for example the sixaxis controller app and anti ads apps but they require rooting, so the question is, should I root it and how safe is rooting. As my first tablet I want to be kinda safe about it, the thing which worries me the most is "bricking" and the fact that the warranty turns void, so I want to know how actually safe it is to root, I know there are different kinds of bricking, I already asked a guy on a youtube video and he said that it's unusual to get a nexus device bricked, expecially hard bricked, but he said that if it's hard bricked I'm kinda stuck, so is there no actual solution for some kind of bricking, please give me some advice, also this is my first post on the xda-developers forums, I was going to put links to the things I mentioned but I need to have at least 10 posts to put outside links :/.
MadJohny said:
Hi, tomorrow I'm getting a nexus 7 (2013), and it's going to be my first android device, the thing is, as the first android device, I don't want to screw it up as soon as I get it.
There are some apps which I would like to get for it, for example the sixaxis controller app and anti ads apps but they require rooting, so the question is, should I root it and how safe is rooting. As my first tablet I want to be kinda safe about it, the thing which worries me the most is "bricking" and the fact that the warranty turns void, so I want to know how actually safe it is to root, I know there are different kinds of bricking, I already asked a guy on a youtube video and he said that it's unusual to get a nexus device bricked, expecially hard bricked, but he said that if it's hard bricked I'm kinda stuck, so is there no actual solution for some kind of bricking, please give me some advice, also this is my first post on the xda-developers forums, I was going to put links to the things I mentioned but I need to have at least 10 posts to put outside links :/.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to the forum!
Rooting is safe, as long as you don't do stupid things, if you stay responsible, nothing bad could ever happen. Responsible means Googling if you don't know something, and if something looks risky, don't do it and maybe search for an alternative.
I have rooted 8 devices, so far, never has one been bricked.
The rooting proces alone is really easy, even someone with no Android experience, like you, can do that.
But with rooting you'll have to unlock the bootloader of your device, that means all data of your Nexus will be erased, so it's good to root the Nexus 7 right after you buy it, so you'll lose no important data.
This thread will give you a toolkit for Windows, in which you can root and unlock the bootloader: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2430708 (use option 3 in the root section, everything is automatic)
Before doing anything, please read really good, and if you don't know what something means, Google it first.
With a custom recovery, you can make a full backup of the current state of your device, so if it's bricked, you can access the custom recovery and restore the backup.
So what you have to do when you buy the Nexus 7, download and install the toolkit, go to the root section, click action 3 (unlocked bootloader, root and custom recovery). You're rooted. Then go to custom recovery (Google it if you don't know how to get there), and make a backup, so if anything happens and you are bricked, use a key combination to get in recovery and restore the backup, just like nothing happened
Hope this is enough for you!
Don't forget, if you have a question, feel free to PM me or to reply on this thread
Ibrahim9999 said:
Welcome to the forum!
Rooting is safe, as long as you don't do stupid things, if you stay responsible, nothing bad could ever happen. Responsible means Googling if you don't know something, and if something looks risky, don't do it and maybe search for an alternative.
I have rooted 8 devices, so far, never has one been bricked.
The rooting proces alone is really easy, even someone with no Android experience, like you, can do that.
But with rooting you'll have to unlock the bootloader of your device, that means all data of your Nexus will be erased, so it's good to root the Nexus 7 right after you buy it, so you'll lose no important data.
This thread will give you a toolkit for Windows, in which you can root and unlock the bootloader: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2430708 (use option 3 in the root section, everything is automatic)
Before doing anything, please read really good, and if you don't know what something means, Google it first.
With a custom recovery, you can make a full backup of the current state of your device, so if it's bricked, you can access the custom recovery and restore the backup.
So what you have to do when you buy the Nexus 7, download and install the toolkit, go to the root section, click action 3 (unlocked bootloader, root and custom recovery). You're rooted. Then go to custom recovery (Google it if you don't know how to get there), and make a backup, so if anything happens and you are bricked, use a key combination to get in recovery and restore the backup, just like nothing happened
Hope this is enough for you!
Don't forget, if you have a question, feel free to PM me or to reply on this thread
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Ok, thanks for the information, I was going to update the nexus to kitkat when I get it, so if I root it with kitkat I will still have the kitkat version right? I still don't think I'll root it when I get it, but this makes me feel safer about it, and when you say lose important data what do you mean? basically it will delete all the files I have on my nexus that weren't there in the first place(when I buy it) right?
MadJohny said:
Ok, thanks for the information, I was going to update the nexus to kitkat when I get it, so if I root it with kitkat I will still have the kitkat version right? I still don't think I'll root it when I get it, but this makes me feel safer about it, and when you say lose important data what do you mean? basically it will delete all the files I have on my nexus that weren't there in the first place(when I buy it) right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you're right about the last question.
When you root it, the KitKat version stays the same, don't worry.
Can you please thank my posts? Little effort from you and it really helps me
Ibrahim9999 said:
Yes, you're right about the last question.
When you root it, the KitKat version stays the same, don't worry.
Can you please thank my posts? Little effort from you and it really helps me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I thanked the posts, I already have my nexus 7, udpating it to kitkat right now, I will think about rooting later, I can do other stuff without it
edit: one more thing, does some of the apps that come with nexus get deleted on rooting? for example play store
that's right, rooting is safe if you know what you do, and do read first tutorials before doing it...goodluck
MadJohny said:
Ok I thanked the posts, I already have my nexus 7, udpating it to kitkat right now, I will think about rooting later, I can do other stuff without it
edit: one more thing, does some of the apps that come with nexus get deleted on rooting? for example play store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, literally nothing changes in your Nexus 7 with rooting, except for 1 extra app being added. That's it.
actually it is depends on your own
if you are going to use some apps which are needed to root then you have no choice but to root
like Titanium Backup, Greenify, Autostarts, AdAway, etc
Rooting
Rooting is fine but it comes with great consequences like bad security and you can brick it, there's many things that can go wrong. But if you get thru that daunting, annoying and sometimes scary process of rooting you open a world of freedom and fun.
I'm so extremely new to this forum (and any forum, for that matter) that I just have an overload of questions. I've taken the time to read some stickies for noobs and that you should always read and search before posting but I am impatient (I tried and failed).
I recently got a gorgeous, red htc one m8 from Verizon. This phone is bomb, and a total step up from my previous galaxy s3, but now I really want to root for the first time and see where it can take me.
I'd like to backup my phone before following the instructions to root, and the resources I've gotten don't seem promising and I was really just wanting to know what would be best to save EVERYTHING from multimedia to my somewhat custom settings. (?)
Please don't hate me. I'm so new. If I ever get to the point of rooting this thing are there any personal recommendations on where to begin after I've rooted (or threads that already have that stuff)?
The rooting process (including soff) wipes no data. After you get root, you can install an app like titani backup or helium backup to backup individual data. You also want to do a nandroid backup in recovery the second you install a custom recovery, so you have a cushion to fall in in a bad situation
wtoj34 said:
The rooting process (including soff) wipes no data. After you get root, you can install an app like titani backup or helium backup to backup individual data. You also want to do a nandroid backup in recovery the second you install a custom recovery, so you have a cushion to fall in in a bad situation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
Now I've just got to google nandroid backup and custom recovery. These are honestly my baby steps with this, should I even root without knowing all this stuff or will it just get easier?
letsmoshjosh said:
Now I've just got to google nandroid backup and custom recovery. These are honestly my baby steps with this, should I even root without knowing all this stuff or will it just get easier?
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Click to collapse
I would say you need to read read read. The s-off procedures for either firewater our sunshine are damn near idiot proof so there's little to no risk of damaging things there. However, once you have the ability to flash things in a custom recovery the risk goes way up. As long as you're not flashing unverified experimental files or accidentally flashing files for a different model then today's recoveries make it pretty easy. Also, make a nandroid before you change just about anything through recovery. Happy flashing.
cntryby429 said:
I would say you need to read read read. The s-off procedures for either firewater our sunshine are damn near idiot proof so there's little to no risk of damaging things there. However, once you have the ability to flash things in a custom recovery the risk goes way up. As long as you're not flashing unverified experimental files or accidentally flashing files for a different model then today's recoveries make it pretty easy. Also, make a nandroid before you change just about anything through recovery. Happy flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of the above are true. Please revisit the thread if you have any issues setting up ADB on your machine before you attempt firewater (S-OFF). The big thing for me was making sure I got everything installed properly before I flashed. Once you do the root process be it Samsung, HTC, et al... you will find it is remarkably easy.
If you're looking for a custom ROM, be sure to stick to the Verizon HTC One M8 forums only unless you're directed there by a thread. Before you flash anything at all, just make sure you're solid on the process. Many times, there are awesome people who take the time to make a video about the process from start to end. Those will probably enormously useful for you on your first foray.
Again, ask around and read up! As cntryby429 said, read as much as you possibly can. The truth is, the devs do far more work than we could ever imagine as far as root goes.
Cheers!
letsmoshjosh said:
I'm so extremely new to this forum (and any forum, for that matter) that I just have an overload of questions. I've taken the time to read some stickies for noobs and that you should always read and search before posting but I am impatient (I tried and failed).
I recently got a gorgeous, red htc one m8 from Verizon. This phone is bomb, and a total step up from my previous galaxy s3, but now I really want to root for the first time and see where it can take me.
I'd like to backup my phone before following the instructions to root, and the resources I've gotten don't seem promising and I was really just wanting to know what would be best to save EVERYTHING from multimedia to my somewhat custom settings. (?)
Please don't hate me. I'm so new. If I ever get to the point of rooting this thing are there any personal recommendations on where to begin after I've rooted (or threads that already have that stuff)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been where you are! It's a little daunting finding all the information and getting it sorted.
You will have to do your own reading and do lot of it, but here's a little summary to get you pointed in the right direction.
The only known root method for the M8 is WEAKSAUCE. It provides temp root, meaning you loose root with each reboot but the app will re-root the phone automatically about 30 sec after booting. Servicable but not very elegant.
Root with Weaksauce is a pre-requisite to everything below.
If you want permanent root and/or run a custom rom on this phone you have to S-off, unlock the bootloader and flash a custom recovery (in that order).
For S-off and bootloader unlock (accomplished at the same time) there are two methods:
FIREWATER: free, but does not work on all M8s. Try it - it'll either work or fail. Follow the instructions on the Firewater website to the letter
SUNSHINE: from the same devs that made Firewater, guaranteed to work on all M8s and it'll cost you $25. Well worth it in my opinion.
Once you have S-off and an unlocked bootloader you can install a custom recovery like TWRP or CWM (I recommend the former). Find instructions on the respective websites.
Once you have the custom recovery installed, you can
- flash SuperSU for permanent root
- make a nandroid (total system backup or image) of your stock rom or any rom you have currently installed
- flash a custom rom
This should get you started. Read everything three times, ask twice, flash once.
Edit: Could you do me a favor? Change the title of your thread to something like: Step-by-Step instructions for rooting/roming the M8?
It would make it easier to find for users in a similar situation.
Hi XDA, I asked this over on the Oneplus subreddit and seemed to get non-conclusive answers, so I figured I would try here.
I am not a power user, I don't have any intention of rooting my phone--the OPO is great out of the box imo. But with all these threads about people being stuck in boot loop, I'm wondering if it's better/necessary to unlock my bootloader and flash a custom recovery early on, JUST IN CASE something goes wrong.
Should I take my chances and follow Chromium's guide to flash TWRP, and leave it at that? Or should I not worry?
I don't mind learning how to unlock and flash--but I don't want to head into any territory that might brick my phone in the process of trying to future-proof it.
I always unlock, custom recovery and root when I get a new phone. If you ever want to try a new ROM, do a nandroid backup, try a new kernel or use some apps that require root, when you get your phone, before you start putting the apps on it, is the best time. If you follow the standard fastboot processes, it should take maybe 15 minutes and bam your done. Im very happy with CM and did not even put xposed on the OPO, but I do use Better Battery and a VPN tool. I've never bricked a phone and have been doing this for years, the odds are low, not 0! but low.
What I did is at least unlock boot loader initially. That way the door is unlocked for you if you ever need to do anything with your phone.
Follow the guide to unlock, root and install twrp to begin with then leave it all stock if you're happy with it the way it is (like me)
I suggest this cuz unlocking boot loader wipes everything, so setup your phone the way you want after this cuz to me it's annoying as hell to do this after you set it all up lol
Then I only installed Franco kernel cuz everyone was saying it improves battery life by leaving his settings as stock and from personal experience I have to agree. I didn't need to mess with any settings and still it improved battery life
That is my experience and what I recommend to you
Sent from my A0001 using XDA Free mobile app
Yes, unlock your bootloader just in case. Chromium's guide is good or I have one too (link in my signature).
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