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I hate me [n00b question]

So I have a I-9020A with at&t. I have rooted followed by flashing -su and roms instructions using instructions on the net. But after following that process and then going backwards (flashing stock w/ no root locking bootloader) I have realized after that I have more questions.
So first: Unlocking the Bootloader erases the phone. Unlocking the bootloader is needed to flash CWM and SU. I have read many many things about NANDROID, how is NANDROID different from CWM?
So I guess my next question is: How does one remove SU? In the process of rooting and flashing CWM and ROMs I make a backup prior to going to deep... that Backup will have SU, I have unrooted, but SU is still on the phone and I cannot seem to remove it.
Another question is: where are the data files on the phone for apps like Plants vs Zombies? I would like to move them off my phone prior to root, though I'm not sure if that is possible (is it?).
The last question is: If I wanted to muck around with ICS and the source code, is it as simple as flashing the source as explained on the google site? because they make it sound rather easy.
Thanks for any and all help,
toonhead

toonhead85 said:
So I have a I-9020A with at&t. I have rooted followed by flashing -su and roms instructions using instructions on the net. But after following that process and then going backwards (flashing stock w/ no root locking bootloader) I have realized after that I have more questions.
So first: Unlocking the Bootloader erases the phone. This process is needed to flash CWM (but not -su?). I have read many many things about NANDROID, but I have no idea what that is except a backup of a stock rom. When I power my phone off and press Vol up and power on then go to recovery I get an Android w/ a triangle with an exclamation and cant do anything at that point.
So I guess my next question is: How does one backup a stock rom (like you would using CMW) without rooting? or is there not a way and I should just except that when I root for the first time I should expect to loose everything and take off things like pics ect before hand.
The last question is: If I wanted to muck around with ICS and the source code, is it as simple as flashing the source as explained on the google site? because they make it sound rather easy.
Thanks for any and all help,
toonhead
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you should have read more.
When you open the bootloader (the lock) it will wipe your personal data off the phone (not SD storage). This just means you get it as if you just bought it from the store. There is no way around it but happens only once and you'll never have to do it again. Unless you lock it back
Once the bootloader is unlocked you can now flash a custom recovery such as CWM which will let you manage and back up your phone with whatever ROM you want/have.
Once recovery is on your device you also have to root the phone. For this you'll need a zip flashable file with the superuser apk and SU binary files. Flash it in recovery and you should be good to go.
The last step is to install a ROM of your choice. You can just run what the phone has and it will work fine and even take updates without a problem. However, every time you want to flash something you'll need to flash CWM again because the stock image flashes the default recovery on reboot. There is a file you can delete to prevent this from happening. I forgot the path so look around. However, I would recommend you flash a stock ROM which already comes loaded with good stuff and all other things are done for you Just stop by the development section and pick a ROM you like.
Naroid is just a backup.
Oh, and BTW, mocking around with ICS... I would leave that for later. First get your head around basic flashing/rooting stuff. Changing the source code requires knowledge of code and even phone hardware. I'm guessing it's not for you just yet

obsanity said:
Sounds like you should have read more.
When you open the bootloader (the lock) it will wipe your personal data off the phone (not SD storage). This just means you get it as if you just bought it from the store. There is no way around it but happens only once and you'll never have to do it again. Unless you lock it back
Once the bootloader is unlocked you can now flash a custom recovery such as CWM which will let you manage and back up your phone with whatever ROM you want/have.
Once recovery is on your device you also have to root the phone. For this you'll need a zip flashable file with the superuser apk and SU binary files. Flash it in recovery and you should be good to go.
The last step is to install a ROM of your choice. You can just run what the phone has and it will work fine and even take updates without a problem. However, every time you want to flash something you'll need to flash CWM again because the stock image flashes the default recovery on reboot. There is a file you can delete to prevent this from happening. I forgot the path so look around. However, I would recommend you flash a stock ROM which already comes loaded with good stuff and all other things are done for you Just stop by the development section and pick a ROM you like.
Naroid is just a backup.
Oh, and BTW, mocking around with ICS... I would leave that for later. First get your head around basic flashing/rooting stuff. Changing the source code requires knowledge of code and even phone hardware. I'm guessing it's not for you just yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was going to write something similar. toonhead85 you should do a bit more research and reading before you start hacking on your phone. youve hearts in the right place, but youre not quite ready just yet. at least take small steps at first

A little more clarification or nandroid backups:
Nandroid is a specific type of backup of the phone's system files. I think that includes system rom and radio. I not sure if any data is included in the backup. You should make a nandroid backup of the stock rom bbefore you flash any custom roms. If something goes wrong with a rom flash or if you want to restore to a previous stock or custom rom, you can restore from the backups you have made. You create these nandroid backups by booting into recovery and selecting the backup option (I think maybe named backup and restore). Backups are usually found on your SD card, but you can copy them to your computer to save additional copies.
If you want to also backup apps, get a good backup program from the market. Two that I have used are Titanium Backup for Root and MyBackups for Root. They can backup and restore apps and data as well as system data.

Thanks for all of the amazing replys. I do know that I am not at the point where I wanna muck around in the system to much as this is my one and only phone. But I would like to at some point.
But something I wanna know is this: If in flash CWM, can I use it without root? Say to make a backup of the stock rom before flashing SU? I only ask because I am currently at work and can't test the idea.
Another question is this: I know how to get to the stock recovery, but from what I read you use the VOL UP to get the "Menu". When I push any (hardware) button I get nothing and the image being displayed is an Android with a triangle and there is an exclimation point in it. Any thoughts?

a nandroid saves everything in your phone, just how it is at that moment. and when you restore it, your phone goes back to that very moment you made that nandroid backup. all your data remain. everything. its like you didnt do anything in between backing up and restoring

simms22 said:
a nandroid saves everything in your phone, just how it is at that moment. and when you restore it, your phone goes back to that very moment you made that nandroid backup. all your data remain. everything. its like you didnt do anything in between backing up and restoring
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and you need root to use NANDROID? Or just an unlocked bootloader and to flash it over?

toonhead85 said:
and you need root to use NANDROID? Or just an unlocked bootloader and to flash it over?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unlocked bootloader

FANTASTIC!!! Thank you all so very much!!

simms22 said:
unlocked bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And CWM recovery.
You don't need root to backup but remember that when you reboot it will flash back to stock recovery (the triangle). You can simply repeat the adb command to flash CWM again.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G

And CWM recovery.
You don't need root to backup but remember that when you reboot it will flash back to stock recovery (the triangle). You can simply repeat the adb command to flash CWM again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I could flash unlock my bootloader > flash CWM > Make a backup and save it to my computer then when i reboot my phone it would automatically reflash the stock recovery? and if this is correct, then all i would need to do is flash CWM to restore the saved backup?
So here's a question, is it the action of flashing SU that keeps the phone from removing CWM and reinstalling stock recovery?

You must rename the /system/etc/install-recovery.sh file or it will keep replacing the stock recovery. See this post, item 2.

Simple root for the i9023 with 4.0.4?

Has anyone tried to root their i9023 with 4.0.4 using doomlord's easy rooting toolkit? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1321582
I tried it when I had 2.3.6 and it worked perfectly but want to update to 4.0.4 now.
If doomlord's doesn't work, is there any similar one click rooting? Also, when I rooted, it didn't erase my data and apps. Will that be the same? Thanks

I guess not. Been searching and couldn't find a non-destructive one and one as a simple click without needing cwm.

There's none that I am aware of. However, it's not really that complicated to flash the right SU zip, and if you don't want to flash cwm you can simply fastboot boot cwm.img and it will leave stock recovery intact and ready after you flashed everything.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA

Couple things if you're already rooted on gingerbread do a nandroid back up. Put that and anything else you want to keep on your computer. Unlock the bootloader and restore your backup and update.
Stop messing around and unlock the bootloader.

albundy2010 said:
Couple things if you're already rooted on gingerbread do a nandroid back up. Put that and anything else you want to keep on your computer. Unlock the bootloader and restore your backup and update.
Stop messing around and unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can he do a backup if the bootloader is locked = no cwm recovery? He's out of luck. Best thing he can do is backup the SD card and that's it. The rest is lost
Edit: failed to read sorry. Didn't notice the gingerbread part. Anyway if he's on stock and one clicked rooted he still doesn't have cwm so he can't make a nandroid, he can use titanium backup and save apps and data.
Sent from my
( •_•)
( •_•)>⌐■-■
Nexus S
(⌐■_■)
YYYYYYYEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH

If he is stock rooted he can flash cwm in the os. Either through rom manager or terminal

albundy2010 said:
If he is stock rooted he can flash cwm in the os. Either through rom manager or terminal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought that locked bootloader prevented the flash of any kind of unsigned .img even if you have root.
Guess i was wrong ;D
That's what you get when your first step with an android phone is unlock the bootloader

Not a one size fits all. Some phones all you need is root to flash a custom recovery and roms/kernels.
Others it can be a mess. Like the HTC g2 or even now the one x on att. Got the entire s on/ s off encryption nonsense and so on.

DeuXGod said:
I thought that locked bootloader prevented the flash of any kind of unsigned .img even if you have root.
Guess i was wrong ;D
That's what you get when your first step with an android phone is unlock the bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He can flash a new recovery through the OS if he has root access only. Unlocked bootloader only provides fastboot support.
If you are fully stock (bootloader, recovery, no su), the only current way to root 4.0.4 is to have an unlocked bootloader.

albundy2010 said:
Not a one size fits all. Some phones all you need is root to flash a custom recovery and roms/kernels.
Others it can be a mess. Like the HTC g2 or even now the one x on att. Got the entire s on/ s off encryption nonsense and so on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that's what make my confusion. My old HTC Magic needed unlocked bootloader to flash a recovery.
Harbb said:
He can flash a new recovery through the OS if he has root access only. Unlocked bootloader only provides fastboot support.
If you are fully stock (bootloader, recovery, no su), the only current way to root 4.0.4 is to have an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah about that i was pretty sure you needed unlocked bootloader, but about CWM flash i was convinced that you needed also unlocked bootloader, but as stated above, it's just for some devices.

Thank to all that responded. All this talk just flew over my head ... guess that's what I get for using simple one clicks
Let me try to straighten some stuff out.
How would I use titanium backup?
Do I titanium backup while it's still on gingerbread or after I OTA the ics 4.0.4?
Edit: duh! I can't use Ti backup after OTA ics because phone not rooted yet.
After backing up with Ti, I thought any attempt to root will erase all. Does the Ti backup not get erased?
Ti backup only backs up my app and the data to those apps, not how I customize my homescreen's widgets and notification bar, right?
So, I would have to do all that stuff over?
If I don't want to unlock bootloader or install cwm, any way to root and leave stock recovery intact?
Lazer Bear posted "if you don't want to flash cwm you can simply fastboot boot cwm.img and it will leave stock recovery intact and ready after you flashed everything."
Is that possible and how do I do it? Does that erase everything too?
Thanks to all!

bump

What should I do after Sunshine?

So I just upgraded from an iphone, this is my first android. Obviously I want to get rid of the Verizon crap... but what else should I do? And how? What's the first thing I do after Sunshine? And what do you recommend I do?

Read. Read more. And even more. Seriously.
Congrats on throwing off the i-Shackles!!
But if this is your first Android device you have a steep learning curve ahead of you.
If you ran Sunshine successfully you are now S-off, allowing you to truly and irreversibly brick your phone if you go about customizing it to your liking the wrong way.
Read a lot, use the serach function here on XDA and Google in general with abandon! Ask if you diligently searched for hours but cannot find an answer.
Flash only if you really understand what you are getting yourself into.
Always make backups before you try something new and research how to reverse what you are about to do!
Here are a few terms for you start with:
What is:
fastboot, fastboot tutorial
ADB (Android Debug Bridge), basic adb commands
recovery, custom recovery, TWRP recovery
"root" in Android, SuperSU, how to obtain it and what to do with it
Hboot
RUU
custom rom - peruse the Development section here for a plethora of them, read at least the OP of each very carefully
That should keep you busy for a week or so
Have fun

berndblb said:
Read. Read more. And even more. Seriously.
Congrats on throwing off the i-Shackles!!
But if this is your first Android device you have a steep learning curve ahead of you.
If you ran Sunshine successfully you are now S-off, allowing you to truly and irreversibly brick your phone if you go about customizing it to your liking the wrong way.
Read a lot, use the serach function here on XDA and Google in general with abandon! Ask if you diligently searched for hours but cannot find an answer.
Flash only if you really understand what you are getting yourself into.
Always make backups before you try something new and research how to reverse what you are about to do!
Here are a few terms for you start with:
What is:
fastboot, fastboot tutorial
ADB (Android Debug Bridge), basic adb commands
recovery, custom recovery, TWRP recovery
"root" in Android, SuperSU, how to obtain it and what to do with it
Hboot
RUU
custom rom - peruse the Development section here for a plethora of them, read at least the OP of each very carefully
That should keep you busy for a week or so
Have fun
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I've done enough poking around to see most of these terms before. I gather I can't do anything after Sunshine without SuperSU, and that TWRP is the next step. Is that right?
1. Sunshine
2. SuperSU
3. TWRP
?

nogginhead said:
Thanks! I've done enough poking around to see most of these terms before. I gather I can't do anything after Sunshine without SuperSU, and that TWRP is the next step. Is that right?
1. Sunshine
2. SuperSU
3. TWRP
?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With S-OFF and an unlocked boot loader the first step for root would be to flash TWRP recovery via fastboot on your PC. Navagate your way on the phone to boot twrp. After that you can flash superSU. With root you can permanatly uninstall all vzw apps via an app like titanium backup. If you want to go a step further you could flash Clean Rom(pre debloated ROM).
At some point soon your phone will get a OTA(over the air) update if you have twrp installed on your phone you won't be able to update. You will need to backup in twrp. factory RUU your phone(100% back to stock) keep your bootloader unlocked and S-OFF. Take the OTA, flash TWRP, restore your backup..profit! Its a good idea to make a backup in TWRP right when you install it TWRP(that way you have the option to flash the stock recovery and take the OTA)You can't have a modified system when taking an OTA.
Make sure any backup you make is saved on something other than the phone storage. You could lose everything.

PioneerMonster said:
With S-OFF and an unlocked boot loader the first step for root would be to flash TWRP recovery via fastboot on your PC. Navagate your way on the phone to boot twrp. After that you can flash superSU. With root you can permanatly uninstall all vzw apps via an app like titanium backup. If you want to go a step further you could flash Clean Rom(pre debloated ROM).
At some point soon your phone will get a OTA(over the air) update if you have twrp installed on your phone you won't be able to update. You will need to backup in twrp. factory RUU your phone(100% back to stock) keep your bootloader unlocked and S-OFF. Take the OTA, flash TWRP, restore your backup..profit! Its a good idea to make a backup in TWRP right when you install it TWRP(that way you have the option to flash the stock recovery and take the OTA)You can't have a modified system when taking an OTA.
Make sure any backup you make is saved on something other than the phone storage. You could lose everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perfect for me, many thanks! So:
1. Sunshine
2. TWRP (and make a backup)
3. superSU
4. Titanium backup to get rid of VZW crap.
5. What apps currently unavailable to me am I sure to want? xprivacy? (I'll skip the ROMs for now, I think.)

nogginhead said:
Thanks! I've done enough poking around to see most of these terms before. I gather I can't do anything after Sunshine without SuperSU, and that TWRP is the next step. Is that right?
1. Sunshine
2. SuperSU
3. TWRP
?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, with the Sunshine method you are S-OFF which stands for Security Off - AKA Unlocked bootloader.
You can actually control you entire device now that you are sunshine S-OFF. Anything you want - which for new people to HTC and S-OFF can be a disaster. Please make sure to follow everything to a T for instructions as with S-OFF it removes the blocking of things that aren't suppose to be flashed on the phone. With S-ON you can't flash say, an HTC One X Hboot on an HTC One M8, however with S-OFF you can, so be VERY careful and make sure that whatever you flash is 110% for the device you have, and that you check the MD5-checksum.
SuperSU is root. S-OFF = permanent root.
so since you are sunshine S-OFF you can just install the SuperSU and now you have a stock rooted ROM.(I suggest making a nandroid before editing the stock ROM).
If you want to go ahead and mess around with flashing of ROMs, then you would need to flash a custom recovery (I also suggest TWRP)
command is fastboot flash recovery name-of-recovery.img
hope this is helpful.

Reflashing stock recovery and locking bootloader after installing a custom rom

Potentially stupid question, but...
What would happen if I install custom rom the usual way and after that reflash stock recovery and relock bootloader?
Can things work that way at all (I'd like to try it for security or whatever reasons)?
Is there a rule, or some roms would work and others won't?
If it can work in any combination, what are the bad sides of that setup (installing anything again would be a pain, I know that) ?
I'd like an explanation please, thanx.

If i remember correctly, google updated bootloader to fully wipe your phone (including internal memory) on both unlocking and locking bootloader. So i dont think you can lock it with custom rom flashed. But stock recovery should be flashable without problems, the only thing is that you wont be able to flash anything, not even update rom or flash google updates if you are on customised rom.
Sent from Pure Nexus 5

I remember it wiping after unlocking, but not after locking again.

Its because of this i think its wiping. Read this, check for yourself.
https://plus.google.com/+ArtemRussakovskii/posts/49VyN48ixDp
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/locking-bootloader-wipes-data-t2947916

Are you rooted? There is nothing wrong with running it this way. If you are rooted you could use boot unlocker app to relock bootloader, and then if you wanted to flash something just use the app to unlock, boot into fastboot, fastboot boot twrp, flash the zip you need, reboot, use the app to relock, and everything would be ok.

No root. Im asking for this method for security reasons.

You could use an apk like kingroot to root it and follow the steps then unroot it after you are done. I know you want security, there is nothing wrong with stock recovery/locked bootloader and running a custom rom. I was thinking more if you wanted to update in the future.

Thanks, makes sense...

New To Smartphones and Want To Root...

Hello All:
This is my first smartphone and I'm wanting to root. I am trying to use the front(earpiece) speaker to listen to video and audio. I found out about the app "earpiece" and installed it, but the damn app keeps telling me that the app has stopped working. So now I want to root and I have a few ?'s.
1- How and what do I need to make a full backup/image of the phone in the event I want or need to return to stock?
2- I saved the link with the steps to root, but how will I know or be able to see what hidden stuff is in the phone that I can use(like the ability to use the front speaker), and can anyone tell me the tools I would need to root so I can have the ready in advance? Many many thanks everyone.
Don

VengeFulHemi said:
Hello All:
This is my first smartphone and I'm wanting to root. I am trying to use the front(earpiece) speaker to listen to video and audio. I found out about the app "earpiece" and installed it, but the damn app keeps telling me that the app has stopped working. So now I want to root and I have a few ?'s.
1- How and what do I need to make a full backup/image of the phone in the event I want or need to return to stock?
2- I saved the link with the steps to root, but how will I know or be able to see what hidden stuff is in the phone that I can use(like the ability to use the front speaker), and can anyone tell me the tools I would need to root so I can have the ready in advance? Many many thanks everyone.
Don
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can root your device first by getting a official/unofficial custom recoveries like CWM/TWRP.
To install a root access you need the custom recoveries.
Custom Recovery
To get custom recovery first find your device suitable recovery then you need the odin(latest version preferred). Using the odin you can flash the custom recovery to your smartphone.
Note: You need to enable the developer mode and tick the OEM unlocking option so that you will not get FRP problem during flashing the custom recovery.
Rooting
After flashing the recovery now you you are ready to get root power. You need to find the flashable zip of supersu for your device and keeping it on your sd card you can flash the zip to get root. You can also flash any custom ROM from this custom recovery.
Geting back to stock
If your want to get back to the stock software , you need to download your device firmware and just flash via ODIN or you can keep full nandroid backup via the custom recovery of any ROM.
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