Advice needed: root or not to root? - Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers

Hi all.
I'm a long-time Android user. I managed to make my old HTC One M7 running alternately cyanogenmod and Google Play edition last for three years or so, and just switched this week to a lovely new S7 here in the UK.
It looks to be the perfect phone- very fast, nicely designed, lovely camera.
The first thing I did was install CF-autoroot, but I chose not to affect the system partition with the decryption option yet as I didn't know whether this would be strictly necessary yet. Then i installed titanium backup and restored all my apps and app-data from the HTC.
So, here I am a few days in, and I'm considering whether I should de-root it and go back to stock. My battery life isn't great, and by my reading it really should be. I'm getting to need a charger by ~7pm.
Things I want:
1- android pay is excellent- the option to never have to have my wallet with me is really attractive.
2- good battery life
In the past I've been a great fan of having TWRP to do backups, and switching between different ROMS using titanium backup to restore apps. I've always run xposed to tweak things.
Now, my basic understanding here is that xposed and root mean that I can't use android pay. That really does swing it for me.
Unfortunately the battery life is also currently a problem. I'd like to get rid of all the useless samsung bloat as well.
The options appear to me to be:
1. Wipe and go full stock, unrooted.
2. Remove verity and start from scratch with a debloated ROM. Lose android pay.
3. Stay as I am and accept that the battery probably isn't as good as I'd hoped.
4. Unrooted stock and somehow debloat without using root (don't know how to do this without titanium backup 'feeze' option).
Is there an optimum way forward here? I'd appreciate advice.

4. Unrooted stock and somehow debloat without using root (don't know how to do this without titanium backup 'feeze' option). <<< look for Package Disabler Pro in Play Store, I used it to disable (but not delete) lots of bloatware. It does not require's root, it installs as Device Manager so you'll have to authorize it.
So far I'm happy with the battery life I get from my S7, no need to root & try to improve battery life so far as I had to do with all my previous Androids.

pingtiao said:
Hi all.
I'm a long-time Android user. I managed to make my old HTC One M7 running alternately cyanogenmod and Google Play edition last for three years or so, and just switched this week to a lovely new S7 here in the UK.
It looks to be the perfect phone- very fast, nicely designed, lovely camera.
The first thing I did was install CF-autoroot, but I chose not to affect the system partition with the decryption option yet as I didn't know whether this would be strictly necessary yet. Then i installed titanium backup and restored all my apps and app-data from the HTC.
So, here I am a few days in, and I'm considering whether I should de-root it and go back to stock. My battery life isn't great, and by my reading it really should be. I'm getting to need a charger by ~7pm.
Things I want:
1- android pay is excellent- the option to never have to have my wallet with me is really attractive.
2- good battery life
In the past I've been a great fan of having TWRP to do backups, and switching between different ROMS using titanium backup to restore apps. I've always run xposed to tweak things.
Now, my basic understanding here is that xposed and root mean that I can't use android pay. That really does swing it for me.
Unfortunately the battery life is also currently a problem. I'd like to get rid of all the useless samsung bloat as well.
The options appear to me to be:
1. Wipe and go full stock, unrooted.
2. Remove verity and start from scratch with a debloated ROM. Lose android pay.
3. Stay as I am and accept that the battery probably isn't as good as I'd hoped.
4. Unrooted stock and somehow debloat without using root (don't know how to do this without titanium backup 'feeze' option).
Is there an optimum way forward here? I'd appreciate advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can disable bloat with package disabler pro, from play store. No need to root and list of what safe to freeze is availlable here on lovely xda. Or you can do it manually with app manager.

Related

Bloatware & root tips for the lg spectrum ii vs930

BLOATWARE & ROOT TIPS FOR THE LG SPECTRUM II VS930
Your LG Spectrum 2 must have root to Remove bloatware. The reason you want root access is so you can become a “Superuser.” What does that mean? Nothing really, except your boot-loader is no longer locked, so you can do some things (including removing bloatware) and run some apps you wouldn't otherwise be able to.
with System Cleanup or Titanium Backup * root, you can freeze (my preference) or uninstall apps that are particularly troublesome. Before you start removing anything, make sure you have made a backup using ether app. Here is a "HOW TO BACKUP YOUR SPECTRUM 2 DEVICE".
I prefer freezing an app over uninstalling one, if you really must uninstall apps, you should freeze them first and wait a few days to ensure that that your phone works properly without them, because you never know if you’ll need that app in the future. Most bloatware is less than 100 kb in size. So, most likely we’re talking about wanting to not see the app versus totally removing it from your device. Also, in the odd, off-chance your provider actually requires that app for an upgrade to the ROM (i.e. OTA updates), you can unfreeze it easier than having to find and side load the appropriate app.
COPY THE LINK BELOW TO YOUR BROWSER FOR MORE INFORMATION TO THE SPECTRUM 2
rootzwiki.com/topic/36242-spectrum-2-forum/page__st__30#entry1109519

Rom advice for s6

Hi everyone
I am currently using a oneplus one and bought an s6 as it looks like a good phone.
However, my first impression is that the phone has too many native apps; before I start using it properly I will be migrating all my settings,data etc from my previous phone.
Anyone migrated from oneplus one to s6?
what rom would you advise for samsung s6?
Thank you
I used to own the OnePlus, cool phone. I would highly recommend Xtrestolite rom, it's very debloated and there's an aroma package that you can flash and choose which features you wanna install
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
Hi thank you for the reply.
I have checked the rom and looks interesting.
However, there's one issue, it states:
"I would NOT recommend to restore system apps or app data of your apps with Titanium backup, only the apps themselves.
Restoring App data or System apps can cause problems with the apps. (This applies to any ROM!)"
I want to backup app data of my apps that are installed on my current one plus one and restore it on this new phone (viber messages, sms messages,contacts and also settings of some other apps as well), will I be able to do this or it will cause issues as suggested by the author of the rom?
How did you backup restore all the data of your oneplus one to the samsung s6?
Thank you
I have managed to install Xtrestolite, still testing it and it looks faster but I am trying to get all my previous apps work on this new device.
Most of them are working but at the moment I am having problem with Tasker.
In tasker some of my tasks requires accessibility tasker to be turned on, I turn that on and then I am asked to enable the universal switch, if I don't do it, the accessibility for the tasker doesn't get enabled, if I DO enable it, an error is through "settings has stopped working"
Does anyone know how to fix this?
THank you

Owners! Are you surviving without root?

Hey Sprint Galaxy S8 owners,
I'm looking to upgrade from S6 soon, and wondering how everyone is coping without root?
How did you get your apps (and app data) over to the new phone without Titanium Backup?
It's going good. Can't say I really miss root though. Maybe just YouTube background. As for ads, I use a VPN anyway and there's an option to block ads so that's not an issue. I had to start brand new when it came to app data. No big deal for me. I haven't had root since october, when I got my S7 and no root was available.
The Android Attorney said:
It's going good. Can't say I really miss root though. Maybe just YouTube background. As for ads, I use a VPN anyway and there's an option to block ads so that's not an issue. I had to start brand new when it came to app data. No big deal for me. I haven't had root since october, when I got my S7 and no root was available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's promising. The things I really use root for are:
Titanium Backup
Unlimited HotSpot (Sprint)
OS Customization Hacks (Status Bar, etc)
And before I upgraded to Android N, I used a ton of Xposed modules.
muzicman82 said:
That's promising. The things I really use root for are:
Titanium Backup
Unlimited HotSpot (Sprint)
OS Customization Hacks (Status Bar, etc)
And before I upgraded to Android N, I used a ton of Xposed modules.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still miss Titanium Backup, but am surviving so far without root. A few apps (like uber, lyft and navigation) work better without root (while they do their best to vacuum up my info).
As for unlimited hotspot--- there's a pretty simple workaround which has been posted elsewhere so you can still have it. Only catch is every time you update your profile, you might have to re-do the simple workaround.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-galaxy-s8+/help/hotspot-workaround-t3608619/page3
Also-- I've found that the $1.99 app BK Disabler (PLUS THE PLUGIN, YOU MUST ALSO INSTALL THE PLUGIN) is definitely worth it. It let's you disable much of the otherwise blocked spam and notification apps and packages.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kunkunsoft.packagedisabler&hl=en
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplysecuresolution.pdplugin
It has a widget functionality so that I can turn off and on a whole group of packages with a single click-- like location-- which I only use when i need it for navigation, but otherwise don't want to be tracked.
Hope this helps some.
Just got the S8. So here we go! My first order of business is trying to get my AppData transferred. Hoping Helium does its thing.
Next, I'm not much of a fan of AI or personal assistants.. I might get used to it, but that Bixby button would make a great back or home button. Actually, I'd be fine with it just being press to go Home and hold for kill app.
Good news, it looks like root has been achieved. Just waiting for the release!
OMG.. Best news of the day!
fever308 said:
Good news, it looks like root has been achieved. Just waiting for the release!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's only going to be for the S8+ for now until they get the files tbey need for the S8
Sent from my SM-G950U using XDA-Developers Legacy app
all s8s
Sent from my Pixel C using XDA-Developers Legacy app

Question Older app version

Mods, if this question is in the wrong section, please move it.
My Pixel 6a has Google Photos version 6. I want to use a way older version, something around 2.8 or 2.9. Is there a way to install without rooting?
So I take it you have to root to install an older version?
Maybe if the earlier version is compatible with the security level. The older versions weren't designed for scoped storage more than likely.
You can try installing it if the Pixel allows it. On my stock Samsung I can do version swaps by uninstalling the current version then installing the desired one. The next hurdle is preventing it from being auto updated by disabling the updating app or using a firewall to block the update app.
If the phone is running well disabling all updates including firmware isn't an issue... as long as you don't do stupid things security wise. Know the vulnerabilities and take steps to mitigate any known critical ones. This N10+ is still running on Pie and hasn't been updated in 3 years, security simply isn't an issue. Contrary to the Google scare hype. If you allow updates or upgrades you'll be back to square one again.
So give it a shot and play with it.
Thanks. It was easy on Galaxy S8+, since photos wasn't installed standard. As for the Pixel, it won't allow an uninstall.
graysky said:
Thanks. It was easy on Galaxy S8+, since photos wasn't installed standard. As for the Pixel, it won't allow an uninstall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's going to be tough then. Wonder if you could trick it with an adb disable of the installed app?
The security level of the older app will likely have the current firmware spurn it though. A 3rd party solution may be your only option. Fun times, huh?
I liked the S4's vid player (10 seconds back/forward) and image editing software better than the N10+'s. I still haven't fully resolve those issues
The retarded stuff these corporations do. Both Google Android and Samsung are going backwards now in terms of functionality and usability. Good cams now though, too bad that's not my smartphone's primary mission
Yes. All this hassle because Google isn't smart enough to put a switch to allow adults to turn on or off a delete confirmation nag screen. If I'm deleting something, I want it gone. Google Photos version 2.17 was the last good version.
graysky said:
Yes. All this hassle because Google isn't smart enough to put a switch to allow adults to turn on or off a delete confirmation nag screen. If I'm deleting something, I want it gone. Google Photos version 2.17 was the last good version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sure you to do that Dave?
Are you really sure you want to do that?
No Hal I changed my mind... let's just kill you instead
Android gets worse like that with every new firmware release. They want to save the dumb bunnies from their twitchy brains.
Its a fact, there's no saving dumb bunnies Gookill☠
LMAO!!
Does this help at all?
How to uninstall carrier/OEM bloatware without root access
If you want to get rid of carrier/OEM apps from your phone, here's how you can uninstall bloatware from your device without root access!
www.xda-developers.com
Then go to apkmirror and find the version you want and see if it installs.
Thanks! I'll give that a try.

Good way to disable apps without uninstalling them to preserve battery for a trip?

I am going on a 2 week hiking/camping trip next month. I'm on stock pixel 7 rooted. I want my phone battery to last as long as possible, as I will have limited opportunities to charge my phone (e.g. I have a solar panel battery pack for charging only). I would mainly use my phone for maps, text and take pictures on my 2 week journey and service will be going in and out.
I don't want to uninstall all non-essential apps (e.g. push notification, them running in the background would use up battery power) on my phone as it's a pain to reinstall and restore the data. I know one option is use titanium backup and freeze app.
However, I do see an option to add a profile/user. I am wondering if the Android users feature would work like on a windows computer. If I create a user and log on as that user on my phone, would the apps on my main profile/user is still active and running in the background, thus kill the battery? Would having the other user, break the root/lsposed on my phone?
Are there any other options out there these days that I should consider? I remember Greenify was thing 10 years ago, but I'm pretty much out of touch these days
Such excursions in nature are an opportunity to change habits and relax. You will do best by taking two other backup phones.
If you're not rooted you can probably use Package Disabler. There's a non Samsung version. Ask them by email.
blackhawk said:
If you're not rooted you can probably use Package Disabler. There's a non Samsung version. Ask them by email.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im rooted
pennywaltz said:
im rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Than you should have better options. I haven't explore disabler options for rooted phones as I run stock.

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