What is Root and Why People Root? - General Questions and Answers

Can anyone explain what is "ROOT"? I always hear other people said they need to root. So in what situation you will root your Phone?

Taylor white 0911 said:
Can anyone explain what is "ROOT"? I always hear other people said they need to root. So in what situation you will root your Phone?
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Root is basically the ability to access files and permissions that you normally cannot get to. It allows you to customize or alter things you can't mess with otherwise

This video of xdaTV says everything (in my opinion):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czTkHe7-lXw

Hauwertlhaufn said:
This video of xdaTV says everything (in my opinion):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czTkHe7-lXw
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Click to collapse
:good:Nice video!

Related

thoughts on RC30..whos gonna reject it?

i hope it doesnt force itself on the phone..
cookzitall said:
i hope it doesnt force itself on the phone..
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Click to collapse
Just don't let it force itself on the phone
If you want to disable OTA updates, you can remount your system folder, and delete /system/app/Updater.apk and /system/app/Updater.odex
I've done that on my own phone with no negative effects (so far). I'm fairly sure that should disable any OTA updates from being installed.
Once it does come out, I plan on downloading it (onto my computer), and giving it a good going over. I'll yank out anything that looks like it will disable my root access, and then resign it with the test keys and load it onto the phone using a modified recovery tool.
JesusFreke said:
Just don't let it force itself on the phone
If you want to disable OTA updates, you can remount your system folder, and delete /system/app/Updater.apk and /system/app/Updater.odex
I've done that on my own phone with no negative effects (so far). I'm fairly sure that should disable any OTA updates from being installed.
Once it does come out, I plan on downloading it (onto my computer), and giving it a good going over. I'll yank out anything that looks like it will disable my root access, and then resign it with the test keys and load it onto the phone using a modified recovery tool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto my good man.
We don't have to reject it per se any OTA "official" update. We just have to modify it and load it. It will have benefits to update, just not completly to Google's standards
can some one please help..
in the "how to get root" thread i asked a question..can some one help me out...thank u
JesusFreke said:
Once it does come out, I plan on downloading it (onto my computer), and giving it a good going over. I'll yank out anything that looks like it will disable my root access, and then resign it with the test keys and load it onto the phone using a modified recovery tool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Details? I was under the impression the retail bootloader wouldn't accept any keys except tmob/google's.
With root though its no biggie to just install the update manually.
well who ever does accept this update please make not of the url it's calling so those of us that aren't can manually grab it. assuming this will still be an option
cookzitall said:
i hope it doesnt force itself on the phone..
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Click to collapse
It sounds like the current state of affairs is not safe. Everything typed on the phone is also submitted to a root shell. It is just a matter of time before I inadvertently type something that damages the filesystem.
wolfgangrupprecht said:
It sounds like the current state of affairs is not safe. Everything typed on the phone is also submitted to a root shell. It is just a matter of time before I inadvertently type something that damages the filesystem.
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Click to collapse
So start each reboot by typing "kill 26"
Disconn3ct said:
So start each reboot by typing "kill 26"
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Click to collapse
That won't help, as it's respawned by init when it dies. Maybe kill -STOP 26 would work, but I haven't verified that.
jimparis said:
That won't help, as it's respawned by init when it dies. Maybe kill -STOP 26 would work, but I haven't verified that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope
Tried kill -STOP from adb shell, then "<cr>sleep 90<cr>" and ps showed 'sleep' running. (Sure, I could use 'reboot' but thats just a pita.)
has anyone thought to type "exit" and see if that terminal closes?
Darkrift said:
has anyone thought to type "exit" and see if that terminal closes?
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Click to collapse
it does but a new one is automatically spawned, so..
there are a new terminal emulator in the market that close with exit and you can do the same .
Disconn3ct said:
it does but a new one is automatically spawned, so..
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Click to collapse
satru said:
there are a new terminal emulator in the market that close with exit and you can do the same .
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Click to collapse
we are talking about the "invisible" ghost terminal that is open on the G1 by default, not one you install and run.
Can somebody explain to me why you woudnt want to update to rc30?
donutman said:
Can somebody explain to me why you woudnt want to update to rc30?
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Click to collapse
rc30 prevents root access. if you don't know why you want root, you prolly don't
JesusFreke said:
Just don't let it force itself on the phone
If you want to disable OTA updates, you can remount your system folder, and delete /system/app/Updater.apk and /system/app/Updater.odex
I've done that on my own phone with no negative effects (so far). I'm fairly sure that should disable any OTA updates from being installed.
Once it does come out, I plan on downloading it (onto my computer), and giving it a good going over. I'll yank out anything that looks like it will disable my root access, and then resign it with the test keys and load it onto the phone using a modified recovery tool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are awesome. Thanks and God bless you!
bennekl said:
You are awesome. Thanks and God bless you!
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Click to collapse
Wondering if Google guys are cursed him already
i keep getting a pop up saying that there i an update ready for the hone or something like that. is that the new update trying to come in. i just keep canceling it
The Great NY said:
i keep getting a pop up saying that there i an update ready for the hone or something like that. is that the new update trying to come in. i just keep canceling it
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Click to collapse
Hack it now or never, it will eventually apply the patch anyway.

New Root is READY!!{STICKY ROOT}

I just saw this!
http://twitter.com/unrevoked
They're currently working on one that will write to /system.
Stay tuned!
Thanks guys! Awesome work!
VoXHTC said:
I just saw this!
http://twitter.com/unrevoked
I downloaded an .apk file and I'm staring at it now..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not very happy with installing and running things on my phone without knowing quite what they do. you go first
Yeah, report back if it breaks anything. I wanna root mine and this way seems easy.
LOL no way.. u 1st.
It worked, but unfortunately it has to be applied on each reboot. not a sticky root. I know my low post count will make you sketchy of this point. all I can say is that it is true. dropped it on my SD, used astro to access it, installed, and it worked just like blackrain, one click. except not sticky.
works great. gotta do it every boot.
Yep me to tried it and worked so how would this work on installing toms though since a reboot get rid of the root?
Oh my god i wanna do it. Its gotta be legit.. Right?
jachase42 said:
It worked, but unfortunately it has to be applied on each reboot. not a sticky root. I know my low post count will make you sketchy of this point. all I can say is that it is true. dropped it on my SD, used astro to access it, installed, and it worked just like blackrain, one click. except not sticky.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it got rooted, going to reboot and see
Hmmm. So if its not sticky, its pretty much pointless to me. Gonna way for the real Root to come. I mean the phone just came out so it shouldnt be long.
I'm still showing sudo permissions on reboot, going to test a few things. like the overclock app, and terminal access.
EDIT: Confirmed, SetCPU for Root cannot request permission. not a sticky root, just as it says.
so what does this do for me, i did it but i can't get into where all the apps i've downloaded are and stuff, i'm confused. what can i do with this root?
can you write to system from within android? if so root explorer will let you easily remove stock apps
no you can't due to current limitations
There is no rw for /system currently. < this should be written in bold and stickied.
I find their lack of information disturbing. If it really needs to be run every boot, why don't they say that? Their site doesn't have a single bit of info on it.
Well there is the long shell way.
Can I use this to create a perfect backup of my phone so I can restore it at any time?
actually when you do it on the phone it tells you that it needs to be run every reboot. so we can't get rid of sprint applications through the phone because of a lack RW for the system, but can we do this pc side???
i'm in boot mode what do i do so i can get rid of sprint apps and what not, how do i do a nandroid, and how can i back up all of my aps.
Anyone know what this means?
Root protip: bind mounts are your friend: busybox touch /data/local/blank; mount -o bind /data/local/blank /system/app/Sprint_NFL.apk

If I root will I loose all my data?

If I root will I loose everything? Thanks
Darrien13 said:
If I root will I loose everything? Thanks
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Click to collapse
Yes +10 characters
oh and you couldve read a guide in the DEV section and it tells you all you need to know.
....wow i didnt need that +10
Thanks, I just should do it now and get it out the way
Darrien13 said:
Thanks, I just should do it now and get it out the way
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Click to collapse
yup, really wish i did it right off the bat, too that way i dont have to worry about loosing all my data later (ie game saves)
poor angry birds
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=903771
Is a forum post describing how to back up whatever is possible.
chadrockey said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=903771
Is a forum post describing how to back up whatever is possible.
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Click to collapse
ehhh ...
all you can really backup if your not rooted is your SD card contents, everything else is already synced with the mothership
all the app data is stored in /data/data and you need root on your device to access that, even ADB gives permission denied

Root without Superuser.apk

Modded the version my buddy dodgejcr put out for the shift to work with the g2x, tested and working on cm7 & miui. Just go into recovery and flash f-su.zip.
I know some people will disagree with me on this, but I think superuser.apk is unnecessary and a nuisance. Any app that can really do damage with root permissions probably has it's own root method built into it anyway, after all, how many rogue apps have only affected rooted phones? So I choose to grant root to every app I download, if I didn't want it to have access to my phone, I wouldn't have downloaded it.
Download f-su.zip here
How do you flash an apk in Recovery?
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
vn00914361 said:
How do you flash an apk in Recovery?
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
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Typo, fixed.
Joeseph Mother said:
Typo, fixed.
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Click to collapse
I still read "Just go into recovery and flash f-su.apk." ???
timmyjoe42 said:
I still read "Just go into recovery and flash f-su.apk." ???
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Click to collapse
It's still a zip file your downloading
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
timmyjoe42 said:
I still read "Just go into recovery and flash f-su.apk." ???
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Click to collapse
Corrected. I should only be allowed to post after drinking.
You're right. I do disagree. You may understand the implications behind granting root access like it's an open door but for anyone who does not here goes. Root access to the file system means you can do anything to it. If granted root access, a renegade application can delete important system files and steal personal information. For instance, take Windows. Windows essentially runs the user at root level, not taking into account UAC in Vista on up. This is why it's so much easier to have viruses steal personal information, disable anti virus applications and delete system files. Superuser limits this access on Android to applications you specifically grant this access to. Is it necessary? No. Can renegade applications still attained root access even with it? Yes. However it just adds a layer of security that I find very useful indeed. Again though this is personal preference. I just wanted to make sure people who didn't know were educated before they do something like this. Carry on
chuckhriczko said:
You're right. I do disagree. You may understand the implications behind granting root access like it's an open door but for anyone who does not here goes. Root access to the file system means you can do anything to it. If granted root access, a renegade application can delete important system files and steal personal information. For instance, take Windows. Windows essentially runs the user at root level, not taking into account UAC in Vista on up. This is why it's so much easier to have viruses steal personal information, disable anti virus applications and delete system files. Superuser limits this access on Android to applications you specifically grant this access to. Is it necessary? No. Can renegade applications still attained root access even with it? Yes. However it just adds a layer of security that I find very useful indeed. Again though this is personal preference. I just wanted to make sure people who didn't know were educated before they do something like this. Carry on
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Click to collapse
Well thank you for stating your opinion in a respectful, thought out manner, seems to be rare these days.
Huge thanks man! I'm using this in my ROM (check sig ) to skip the SuperUser dialogs so the process doesn't get interrupted, then I revert it back to the normal SuperUser. Thanks a lot! =)
Joeseph Mother said:
Corrected. I should only be allowed to post after drinking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before drinking you meant, Mama? Joke
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
What I wanted to do was to have the su binary in a non-default path so that I can be root only when I access my device over USB, I do not want other apps to use it.
I guess this file works only for G2x right?
link not working
does someone still have f-su.zip?
Looking for that SuperUser.apk-less su binary once again, so...
*bump* :angel:
Anyone still have that f-su.zip? :/
Bump ! I remeber how great was this file, i integrated it into one of my old phone roms, but now that link for the rom is also down. DOES SOMEONE HAVE THIS FILE??
---------- Post added at 09:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:06 PM ----------
Joeseph Mother said:
Modded the version my buddy dodgejcr put out for the shift to work with the g2x, tested and working on cm7 & miui. Just go into recovery and flash f-su.zip.
I know some people will disagree with me on this, but I think superuser.apk is unnecessary and a nuisance. Any app that can really do damage with root permissions probably has it's own root method built into it anyway, after all, how many rogue apps have only affected rooted phones? So I choose to grant root to every app I download, if I didn't want it to have access to my phone, I wouldn't have downloaded it.
Download f-su.zip here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reupload?

[Q] An Idiots Guide To Rooting & ROMing the GT-P6210

Hey that's cool! When I was typing the subject header the page showed me the "Here are the similar threads we found" bit. Unfortunately my mind is willing but my brain just ain't cutting it no more. Must be too many years using Windows.
I've looked around here and there seems to be a complete wealth of info for rooting, but unless I'm mistaken there seem to be bits here and there.
Is there a guide for grumpy 40something-year-old blokes who are rather rubbish at THIS SORT OF THING? Hell, I'd even PayPal for an idiots guide!
here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1367249
chrisrotolo said:
here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1367249
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aha, yes! I'll try this when the coffee has kicked in. Thansk very much for pointing me in the right direction.
Well, that appeared to have worked. At least, I didn't brick the device, and it's rebooted fine.
Actually, how does one test that the device is rooted? Has anyone asked that before?
Well that worked! It needs to be rooted to run SuperUser and Titanium, right? Well they both run so it mus tbe rooted
Grumpy Old Guys Unite!
bittersound said:
Is there a guide for grumpy 40something-year-old blokes who are rather rubbish at THIS SORT OF THING? Hell, I'd even PayPal for an idiots guide!
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Click to collapse
Congratulations from a 50something-year-old analog-minded geek for rooting your 6210. Sounds like we might be in the same boat. Old codgers (soon to be curmudgeons) hanging on by our fingertips to the bleeding edge of technology. All I can say about these forums is read everything before you do anything. And then ask some smart questions to make sure you're on the right track. You won't piss off too many of the rom-boffins this way, and you might avoid bricking your Tab. Good luck and welcome to the google/android/samsung version of our future.
Re: If your rooted
bittersound said:
Actually, how does one test that the device is rooted? Has anyone asked that before?
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Click to collapse
1. Download a program called SManager in the play store.
2. open it up and click on options at the bottom and click on console.
3. Shell will open and type the following...
su <cr>
whoami <cr>
what you get back should either be... "root" or unknown uid 0
if you get anything other then you are not rooted.
Hope this answers your question
Dave.
bittersound said:
Well, that appeared to have worked. At least, I didn't brick the device, and it's rebooted fine.
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Click to collapse
Aha, it turns out it DID NOT work.
I followed the root procedure with no error message, the tablet rebooted just fine but SManager returns "unknown uid 0", which indictes the device is not rooted.
To add to the confusion, Titanium Backup Pro says "OK (BusyBox 1.18.4-Titanium from app) with a lovely tick next to "Root access:"
Seems like the device is confused, at least as much as me...
bittersound said:
Aha, it turns out it DID NOT work.
I followed the root procedure with no error message, the tablet rebooted just fine but SManager returns "unknown uid 0", which indictes the device is not rooted.
To add to the confusion, Titanium Backup Pro says "OK (BusyBox 1.18.4-Titanium from app) with a lovely tick next to "Root access:"
Seems like the device is confused, at least as much as me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh... I have a similar confusion. Titanium Backup also tells me "OK (BusyBox 1.18.4-Titanium from app). I've cleaned Samsung bloatware off the Tab successfully using adm which I assume I wouldn't be able to do if I wasn't rooted. Yet File Manager tells me I don't have root permission to use their advanced root settings.
rtfm1777 said:
Huh... I have a similar confusion. Titanium Backup also tells me "OK (BusyBox 1.18.4-Titanium from app). I've cleaned Samsung bloatware off the Tab successfully using adm which I assume I wouldn't be able to do if I wasn't rooted. Yet File Manager tells me I don't have root permission to use their advanced root settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To confuse matters even more, I appear to have succesfully put the QMGBBQRQM Final Release ROM on the tablet
Have you installed superuser from the market yet? If you already have installed superuser, then check if theres an update for superuser. Sometimes that helps apps to recognize that you have root.
bittersound said:
Is there a guide for grumpy 40something-year-old blokes who are rather rubbish at THIS SORT OF THING? Hell, I'd even PayPal for an idiots guide!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From another "40 something"... Read the sticky thread called "** FAQ and useful info **" at the top of the general subforum.
This "grumpy 40-something" spent quite a bit of time gathering the links and text for that post, and it really gets people grumpy when others (such as yourself) appear too lazy to read it.
Gary (the sarcastic, grumpy, 40-something year old diva)
Still going with that diva title eh? lol but you do have a point also. I check it from time to time myself.
re:
bittersound said:
Aha, it turns out it DID NOT work.
I followed the root procedure with no error message, the tablet rebooted just fine but SManager returns "unknown uid 0", which indictes the device is not rooted.
To add to the confusion, Titanium Backup Pro says "OK (BusyBox 1.18.4-Titanium from app) with a lovely tick next to "Root access:"
Seems like the device is confused, at least as much as me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"unkown uid 0" is root. If you get this you are root'd and are good to go.
you need to have super user running when you start up titanium backup and if you get the pop up window saying titanium backup wants root access then you are definitely root'd.
Dave.
garyd9 said:
This "grumpy 40-something" spent quite a bit of time gathering the links and text for that post, and it really gets people grumpy when others (such as yourself) appear too lazy to read it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did check out the FAQ, clearly I missed the relevant details for whatever reason - let's blame it on newbiestupidity. Laziness was not involved, thank you very much.

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