Hi everyone,
I own a oneplus one (carrier unlocked), and am seriously thinking about rooting, but I have a few questions that I'd like answered before I get going. First of all I my reasons for rooting are: -phone automation (I use the app Droid automation from wackdev) there are some functions (for example interrupt mode) which are only available if rooted. -Secondly I hate bloatware (especially google play games which is super fustrating if one wants to try out a new game one has just downloaded). Other than those two reasons I am not sure whether rooting is for me as I find the prospect of custom roms and bricking my phone daunting.
So first of all would you advise rooting for me or do you know of other solutions to my problem (the first thing is clearly only avilabe when rooted). I also am not sure how to go about doing it, as in all videos/posts I have seen it's all about getting a new Kernel or rom, which I don't want (or maybe only later).
Lastly I have backed up my data using the steps in this (I can't link because this is my first post but If you are interested it is from techrepublic and it's called: How to create a full backup of your Android device without root) guide, but am still paranoid about losing my data. So does this work.
Thanks a lot in advance
HogliMogli
PS: Assuming I was to root but then not like it or encounter problems can anyone link a guide to unrooting.
PPS: I am not sure if this is a kernel or rom or something else, but how would I get stock android??
Hi,
Welcome here. So for your questions... two reasons why you would need root based on what you want to do:
- Be able to do the automation if you identified options you can't access without root
- De-bloat your phone by removing the Google applications that can be removed only by using root access apps removal softwares (that you can find on the playstore). Be careful and install an alternative launcher like Nova launcher, if you remove all Google apps except from the Play store, then the Google search bar will be removed from the COS Launcher and make it crash. Not a big deal but annoying.
Else, on your daily life, I guess you won't need root.
Will it wipe all your data? The answer is yes, even if you backed up all the content of your sdcard (/data/media), you'll do a factory reset while unlocking your bootloader, so you'll loose all your apps, you'd better save your text messages as well as contacts, etc...
There is a guide here to unlock bootloader without wiping data, you can find it easily.
Then, for the "How To", you have the wonderful guide from @Heisenberg
Heisenberg's How-To Guide For Beginners
Plus the global OPO threads index
Edit: Before you begin to mess up with your phone, make a backup of your EFS/IMEI partitions, you'll find instructions in @Heinsenberg's guide, step 11.
Related
I've rooted my g2x and installed ClockworkMod recovery via ROM Manager. I am new to android coming over as an iOS developer. I'm guessing that this handset will attract others in my situation.
As such, after rooting and reading a lot of threads its still unclear to me how to remove ROM apps, specifically Tmobiles infamous MyAccount.
Is there a method to SSH or through a terminal or what is the process?
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated, links as well if this post is redundant.
When you are rooted you need to download Titanium Backup from the market. Then you need to open it, allow root access, go to "backup/restore" and remove whatever you think you dont like. But always ALWAYS do a nandroid backup before you remove any of the system apps, as some of them might be absolutely needed for Android to run normally
[Thread in wrong area! Mods please move to AT&T S4 under Q/A!]
I recently rooted/installed CleanROM for my S4, but now I have some basic questions regarding what actually happened in the process and how I could improve it. (First smartphone, first Android).
1. Is flashing the exact equivalent of installing a kernel/ROM/app in a recovery like TeamWin that is zipped in an SD card? All I did was select my zipped file and install--the guide says to use GooManager but I never used it. Also, does updating TWRP, kernel, or ROM (same application/kernel/ROM, but newer version) require that you delete the old ZIP, copy over the new ZIP, then install it? Is there a cleaner method (I feel that since we have to wipe to prevent old files from interfering with new ROM that maybe parts of the old version of a ROM may be redundant or may interfere with the new ROM?
2. Is there a way I can save the phone settings when dealing with one ROM and transferring these settings to another ROM? I really don't want to spend 20 minutes to go through all the settings and change it to my liking every time I install a new ROM.
3. With TWRP I could backup the entire ROM and also be able to install that backup ROM if I don't like the new ROM installed? What does Titanium Backup offer in regards to this aside from backing up app data and the ability freeze/uninstall system apps?
4. Does Titanium Backup leave any residual files? I see other apps designed to uninstall system apps and Titanium Backup seems like an all-in-one jack of all trades.
5. I thought I wiped everything and to me, that sounds like reformatting the entire drive. I only wiped system, boot, and data though (good enough for ROMs, according to what I've read). I was surprised when I saw my videos that I had already backed up to my PC accessible on the phone. Should I just wipe literally everything (I assume it would be cleaner) like cache, preload, EFS, modem, recovery, etc.? Will wiping literally everything be like reformatting my phone (since my phone was not reformatted because my personal videos was still there when I installed my custom ROM? If I were to install completely different ROMs cleanly and wanted to keep my personal files, I would only need to wipe system, data, and boot?
4. Do I have to use CASUAL again to install an updated TWRP?
5. Does backing up a ROM also backup its root? I'm going to assume this is a dumb question and the answer is no. I'm also guessing I have to block OTA updates from AT&T to ensure I keep my root. How would I go about doing this? Also, would my phone be "safe" if I stick to my ROM (no updates or anything) for 4+ years? I'm asking this as an extreme case because I feel like I'm missing out on AT&T security updates that could protect my phone and also I don't think the developer my ROM (CleanROM) will do frequent updates).
6. I had problems with my computer not being able to recognize my phone and my SD card in the phone after I wiped everything and before I installed a ROM. I literally had to take the SD card from the phone and use an SD card reader to transfer my custom ROM/loki then put it back into the phone. Was I missing a driver?
7. What are some must-have apps a newly rooted user would want?
8. I read that you only need 1 EFS backup and you don't need to back it up every time you are going to install a custom ROM. Can I get a confirmation?
9. What does Goo Manager do and would I want it?
10. Is it essential that I keep up to date with news about my custom ROM/phone to ensure my phone is secured?
**Not Root/ROM related--Is swiping an app away from the Recent Apps List (long-press home button) the equivalent of killing an app? I use the Recent Apps List often but I don't want to go about swiping apps away if means it is killing it, since I read that killing apps are bad and actually drains battery life. Also, is there a mod that lets you access the Recent Apps List by long-pressing the menu one? I only see a mod that kills the app if you long-press it.
Thanks. I'm hoping for many responses as I have more questions to ask but not a lot of free time (I will check back on this thread every several hours until there are no more responses on the thread.
I think you are in the wrong forum.
@work said:
I think you are in the wrong forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, I clicked the edit/delete thread but can't find the delete button. Under reason for editing I told the mods to move it to AT&T S4 under Q/A. I'm new to XDA, what should I do?
otumsel and
just wait,someone will be along and move it.
Huawei Prism U 8651T running Android 2.3.6
1. Yes I have read similar threads -they are about adding stuff or running new ROMS - I want to remove stuff and run stock ROM
2. Somewhat familiar with Linux . not so much android even tho linux based. Took the test and yes I think it's do able.
3. Yes found rootuing howto on my device on these forums
some questions before I root. all files on my Linux box are readable whether roor or not. Just can't modify unless root. I was reading files on android and they are locked down with encrypted looking stuff like when reading Windows files.
1. Will I be able to remove/disable factory installed google and t-mobile stuff or do they have it lockd down to where even if I'm root I can't do it.
2. howto says phone must be unlocked first - other s say no
3.Some howtos claim rooting should be done with non-active sim card - true?
** I understand that many services rely on google and tmobile apps but they are killing my battery and I can't force stop them ( they just relaunch in a few minutes - and I don't want or need all that cloud syncing junk***
Thanks for any help
Well, you do know what you want, so rooting is probably your thing, and yes you can delete T-Mobile apps and services and other things you might want to remove, including Google apps. Just be careful and don't delete google services like GmsCore.apk, Contacts etc. Maps, Google+ and all that stuff are safe to remove.
Most apps are located in /system/apps, but there are also some apps in /data/apps. Be careful when you delete system apps, so you might want to install Recovery while you're at it so you can make a NAND backup (backup of your ROM) in case something goes wrong, or you want to return to stock once you're on a custom ROM.
I can't give you an answer on the rest of the questions, since some of them might be device specific things, so i don't want to tell you something wrong.
RE: Is rooting for me
LordManhattan said:
Well, you do know what you want, so rooting is probably your thing, and yes you can delete T-Mobile apps and services and other things you might want to remove, including Google apps. Just be careful and don't delete google services like GmsCore.apk, Contacts etc. Maps, Google+ and all that stuff are safe to remove.
Most apps are located in /system/apps, but there are also some apps in /data/apps. Be careful when you delete system apps, so you might want to install Recovery while you're at it so you can make a NAND backup (backup of your ROM) in case something goes wrong, or you want to return to stock once you're on a custom ROM.
I can't give you an answer on the rest of the questions, since some of them might be device specific things, so i don't want to tell you something wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well not sure EXACTLY what I want but basically I want a phone that acts lke a phone and not all the social media cruft and "ALWAYS ON" junk running in the background. And if I do need it I will turn it on and off myself.
Thanks for the tips. I will begin posting oin the appropriate forum.
I'm about to do an upgrade from an stock ROM to Cyanogenmod on a phone I have a lot of apps and settings on.
I know the guides always say "back up before upgrading in case it fails, then upgrade, you'll lose all your previous data". And I know that's the normal way it goes.
I'm a noob to the android OS structure, but is it possible to manually take any parts of the pre-upgrade backup data and paste it in the new OS?
For example how you can copy a lot of programs and AppData (profiles, settings etc) from one installation/version of windows to another.
In my case it would take a lot of extra configuration work even after I use the play store to re-download all the apps. Not to mention some apps are from for ex fdroid or github. And then there's the xposed modules.
Cheers!
I guess I'll upgrade and then try to overwrite app data folders and see how that goes.
I know a lot of you here upgrade your ROMs like every week. Do you spend like 3 days customizing your phone back after each flash?
[EDIT] Found an answer. No thanks to you friendly community (why did someone rate my thread down without saying anything?).
- I found out that Titanium Backup can batch-store all your apps and app data - I wonder if it stores stuff like my Catapult Launcher screen layout and folders.
- Also if all you're doing is an OTA upgrade, you can do it without loosing root: http://www.howtogeek.com/192402/why-androids-ota-updates-remove-root-and-how-to-keep-it/
So flash the new ROM, Root, restore from Titanium (since CWM does a system(-based) image afaik).
Please advise. I really **Really** want to be sure that if I try to backup my sister's phone that I do it properly and can fully and cleanly restore it to a new ROM with no issue. (Be sure that I'll also do external backups of Photos and SMS/MMS databases and whatever else possible onto a computer first, in case of data loss or if I screw up.)
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Okay, so here's the situation: (Google Pixel 6 Pro)
So I installed a custom ROM on my sisters brand new phone a couple of months back. Problem is, the dev behind said ROM may stop maintaining it due to personal reasons. I'll need to in this case switch her phone to another ROM, so that she continues to receive security updates. By the sounds of it I have to wipe the phone completely when switching ROMs, including the user partition. (Correct me if wrong.)
I'm still fairly new to the custom ROM/unlocked bootloader world, so I wanted to kindly ask around for advice on how to **Properly** backup her phone in such a way that I can later fully restore her photos, SMS/MMS, apps, etc. more or less as though I never switched ROMs on her.
I've already heard of TWRP, but the phone doesn't have a version for it. I also heard about the promising Migrate app posted here. Last but not least is the ADB backup feature--however I also heard some conflicting information suggesting that of late Google is deprecating that feature and making it useless. (Please correct if wrong.) I'm still fairly new to the whole custom ROM scene (and rooting too, but in this case her phone is unrooted, only bootloader unlocked with a custom ROM).
Rule #1 - if a OS is fast, stable and fulfilling it's mission... let it be! Updates can and do break things. Pie and higher are relatively secure unless you do stupid things. This stock, optimized N10+ is still running on Pie; last update >2.5 years, current load is over 2 yo. Still fast, stable and secure. I spend very little time doing maintenance and this load runs like a bat out of hell. What's not to like?
If you have to reload latter so be it. Don't go looking for trouble by messing with firmware unless you absolutely need to. Taking a more conservative approach will save you time and trouble in the long run. Google doesn't care about your time or the trouble their updates cause you.
ruq said:
Please advise. I really **Really** want to be sure that if I try to backup my sister's phone that I do it properly and can fully and cleanly restore it to a new ROM with no issue. (Be sure that I'll also do external backups of Photos and SMS/MMS databases and whatever else possible onto a computer first, in case of data loss or if I screw up.)
---
Okay, so here's the situation: (Google Pixel 6 Pro)
So I installed a custom ROM on my sisters brand new phone a couple of months back. Problem is, the dev behind said ROM may stop maintaining it due to personal reasons. I'll need to in this case switch her phone to another ROM, so that she continues to receive security updates. By the sounds of it I have to wipe the phone completely when switching ROMs, including the user partition. (Correct me if wrong.)
I'm still fairly new to the custom ROM/unlocked bootloader world, so I wanted to kindly ask around for advice on how to **Properly** backup her phone in such a way that I can later fully restore her photos, SMS/MMS, apps, etc. more or less as though I never switched ROMs on her.
I've already heard of TWRP, but the phone doesn't have a version for it. I also heard about the promising Migrate app posted here. Last but not least is the ADB backup feature--however I also heard some conflicting information suggesting that of late Google is deprecating that feature and making it useless. (Please correct if wrong.) I'm still fairly new to the whole custom ROM scene (and rooting too, but in this case her phone is unrooted, only bootloader unlocked with a custom ROM).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There should be no reason to need to wipe user partition. It should only be necessary to, at most, wipe the system partition(stock ROM), data partition(user installed apps and user settings), cache partition and dalvik/ART cache then flash the ROM. These wipes will wipe system data, your user settings, user installed apps and their corresponding app data. These wipes will not wipe data/media, the partition where your photos, videos, downloaded files, etc.. are stored.
You can backup the app data for the user installed apps by connecting to PC then use the PC file manager to open your device's internal storage, go to the Android/data folder, in that folder is all of your user app data. Copy the Android/data folder to your PC. After you install your ROM, reinstall all of the user apps that were installed then you can connect to PC and then copy your backed up Android/data folder over to your device to overwrite the ROMs existing Android/data folder. This will restore your app data for your user installed apps.
Contacts should be backed up to Google and restored when signing into the device after the new ROM boots and re-syncing the device.
You will need to backup your SMS/MMS texts via a separate method. Just do a search for:
"Backup and Restore SMS android"
That should find several methods. Use a method that you are comfortable with.
If you use WhatsApp, backing up and restoring WhatsApp, WhatsApp account and your WhatsApp messages requires it's own specific method. You can find the method by doing a search for:
"Backup and restore WhatsApp"
Sorry, if I knew its specific method, I would explain it.
Is there anything else that you don't want to risk losing or anything specific that is on your device that you 100% absolutely need to be certain gets retained/restored after the update?
What custom ROM are you coming from and what ROM are you going to? Depending on the ROMs in question, you might be able to dirty flash the ROM.