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[Q] Just got my Nexus S! Should I Root it?

Hi, I just got my Nexus S, this is my first Android device, I've been an iPhone user for the last 3 years.
So my question is:
should I root it right now?
or should I just play with stock Android for a while?
if root: what should I install/do with it?
Thanks.

wilee1928 said:
Hi, I just got my Nexus S, this is my first Android device, I've been an iPhone user for the last 3 years.
So my question is:
should I root it right now?
or should I just play with stock Android for a while?
if root: what should I install/do with it?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, there is no reason not to root it. If you root you can do whatever you want. I suggest you check out the different apps, roms, kernels, or mods you can get because there are far too many choices and different kinds of things you can do with root for anyone to tell you what or how should you use it.

kenvan19 said:
Well, there is no reason not to root it. If you root you can do whatever you want. I suggest you check out the different apps, roms, kernels, or mods you can get because there are far too many choices and different kinds of things you can do with root for anyone to tell you what or how should you use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i forgot another thing.
if i root it, is there a way to "unroot" it? just in case there is something wrong with the phone and needs repair (warranty).

wilee1928 said:
i forgot another thing.
if i root it, is there a way to "unroot" it? just in case there is something wrong with the phone and needs repair (warranty).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Making it seem untainted is as easy as flashing a stock rom and relocking the bootloader.

Always yes.
root.

I might suggest playing with the stock android for a bit first since this is your first android device. That way you can get acquainted and get a feel of what you want or expect from a custom rom or applications that require root.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Look around and see if of interest you then root.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Rooting gives you access to some incredibly powerful and useful applications that many of us can't live without.
There's really no reason not to root. It's stupid simple to do, and easily reversed with a few terminal commands to delete the su binary, busybox and its symlinks and the superuser.apk. I don't believe it's even an issue with warranty service. Google's endorsed rooting and hacking the phone (thanks kevnan for shoving that one down my throat again last night), and part of why they made it so easy to do.
Until recently, if you wanted to root, it was really a bad idea not to do it right away because the earlier methods (still) have you doing the fastboot oem unlock command, which will WIPE EVERYTHING on your phone, including all the stuff on your /sdcard (pictures, music, etc), and all your apps' data (like Angry Birds scores) that can't be backed up without root.
We've recently found a method that doesn't require you to wipe the phone, and is just as effective as the earlier methods (really all we're doing is skipping that oem unlock step), so it's not as time critical to root right away as it used to be.
Good luck with the phone; it's fantastic, even on stock ROMs (my choice to use), despite a few annoying quirks!
Sent from Safari browser because Chrome browser frequently won't cooperate with xda forums.

should I root 7 pro

Hello guys,
Don't know if I should root my phone..if I root my phone can I go totally stock without problems (no boot warning and so on)?
And also is there a solution to get Netflix in hdr and better resolution with unlocked bootloader?
And which why should I root / which apps are really recommend to let me root

manutoxic said:
Hello guys,
Don't know if I should root my phone..if I root my phone can I go totally stock without problems (no boot warning and so on)?
And also is there a solution to get Netflix in hdr and better resolution with unlocked bootloader?
And which why should I root / which apps are really recommend to let me root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should post your question on https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-7-pro/help

No, rooting requires you to unlock your bootloader which means you will get the boot warning. I think there was a workaround for previous phones but I wouldn't recommend it. Google forced OEMs to add the warning.
Judging by your questions though, I would seem that you already knew the answers.

First of all, please search the forum, or just take a look at the threads at least, before making new threads. There is already a lengthy discussion on this exact question, right on the top page of Q&A: https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-7-pro/help/root-yes-t3936633
And another here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/on...ens-unlock-bootloader-features-loose-t3932323
And here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-7-pro/help/advantages-unlocking-bootloader-t3938457
Note that unlocking the bootloader and root go hand in hand. So even though 2 of the thread subject lines refer to unlocking the bootloader, a lot of the discussion involves root as well.
We really don't need a new thread, every time someone comes on here that can't make their own decision about root/no root. A decision that can be based on readily available info, that existed even before the above discussions existed!
Feeling charitable today, so I'll answer your questions as well as I can (my responses below in red font):
manutoxic said:
Don't know if I should root my phone..if I root my phone can I go totally stock without problems (no boot warning and so on)?
Return to full stock ROM, and relocking the bootloader should get rid of the boot warning, etc. I haven't tried it personally (restore to stock) but do a search if you want to verify, the info probably exists.
And also is there a solution to get Netflix in hdr and better resolution with unlocked bootloader?
Not sure yet (just got the phone and rooted it). There is a modded Netflix apk (older version, not for this device specifically) that some folks say will get back the 720p. But others report that it is still only 480p with the modded apk. And no HDR (as the apk is an old version that doesn't support it).
And which why should I root / which apps are really recommend to let me root
Root isn't typically achieved with an "app". But there is a toolkit that performs most of the functions. Although, all you really need is a couple files, and typing a couple fastboot commands. And frankly, if you don't know how to you fastboot, you really shouldn't be messing with root in the first place. My recommendation would be the method: unlock the bootloader, fastboot boot TWRP, in TWRP flash the TWRP installer zip, flash Magisk root, done. Pretty easy, and I did it with zero issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

A wise man once said: If you have to ask, don't root.

B3311 said:
A wise man once said: If you have to ask, don't root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mr. XDA said that

Rooting, useful and safe?

Hi guys, I need advice about rooting. I own this fantastic phone from its release, I've never used a cell phone like this, I'm so satisfied, the oxygen os is phenomenal.
Returning to the question, its worth rooting this phone? I personally all the cell phones I had before, I have always rooted them, but with this I am a little hesitant. I had thought of rooting it to have the aux cameras on Gcam that i use alots and for playing PoGo doing spoof gps. My real question is:What would I lose by unlocking the bootloader, flashing the twrp and installing magisk? If im not wrong, only Netflix HD right?
Do you advise me to do it?
Edit: Outside of the above reasons, I don't need to root my 7 pro. If I decided to do it, would I still receive updates via OTA?
Thanks in advance

You do not need to do Ask me a comment because the rom of op 7 Pro He is already good, but if you like to play a game or want to test a custom ROM, you must root it.

riioKen said:
Hi guys, I need advice about rooting. I own this fantastic phone from its release, I've never used a cell phone like this, I'm so satisfied, the oxygen os is phenomenal.
Returning to the question, its worth rooting this phone? I personally all the cell phones I had before, I have always rooted them, but with this I am a little hesitant. I had thought of rooting it to have the aux cameras on Gcam that i use alots and for playing PoGo doing spoof gps. My real question is:What would I lose by unlocking the bootloader, flashing the twrp and installing magisk? If im not wrong, only Netflix HD right?
Do you advise me to do it?
Edit: Outside of the above reasons, I don't need to root my 7 pro. If I decided to do it, would I still receive updates via OTA?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your data would be wiped unlocking the bootloader, as I'm sure you know. Your are correct about Netflix, but there are a million free streaming apps to choose from. Magisk has a repo of modules that you could use and there's a few custom ROMs that are magisk versions. Magisk can hide from apps if need be. You can make your device faster and more battery effecient with custom kernels and it wouldn't affect OTAs aside from downloading the full zip rather than an incremental version. There are plenty of instructions on xda for updating with twrp and magisk to keep root. I have been rooted with my OP7Pro since the first hour I had the device. You also have Swift backup for apps, messages and call logs, so you could restore them to a new device as well if you root it also. You can block ads better with root, use viper4android for a superior sound experience and create a nandroid backup to restore it to a previous state if something should go wrong.

what are the interesting things I can do after rooting my op6?

After leaving Samsung, I did not root my phone as never felt the need for it, as I used root for battery mods and roms.
So can anyone tell me that what interesting mods I can do after rooting my phone?

You can install custom ROMs which have extended features for your phone like changing what buttons do, having an always on display show different things, have shortcuts mapped etc. Custom kernels can manage your phone better whether you like more battery or more performance. Then you have magisk modules come in that can add further functionality and then Edxposed, F-droid the list goes on and on.

You can get rid of ads in your apps.
You can have modded youtube without any ads and other stuff.
Tons of stuff

i root because a few mods:
Viper4android
Call Recorder - not available in my country.
EdXposed with gravitybox - for little customizing
Youtube Vanced
i also root because i had oneplus 5 before which was not rooted and one day i messed up and couldnt get it to work again. i really tried everything - if i was rooted i probably could have fixed my op5.

How do you install new updates then?

Once the updates are out you can install them directly with your phone as you have been doing with any other phone.
The only thing is that after every update you have to root again your phone as the update 'delete' the root.
Nothing major, don't worry. Trust me, us, once you root you won't be able to have your phone unrooted anymore ?
If you are in doubt I suggest you to root it once and then, after a new update you can decide if root it again or not ?

If ur not willing to walk the mile of getting knowledge, dont root

You can use it to teleport to another dimension.
Jk jokes aside you have full control of your system and can do all kinds of modification which how you modify will make it awesome or perform worse.

@bibop80 @chintu1234 @whizeguy
I have rooted my phones for years when I used Samsung devices.
Samsung had issues with battery and performance so that time I had rooted my device.
But since I am using op6 I am so satisfied with the performance and battery, that's why I never rooted my device.
Now I am bored and want to try few mods, so I will root my phone.
I have never used magisk root method, and as I said it's been almost 2 years I rooted device, so I'll be happy if someone can guide me in detail and best root method, I am currently on latest fw android 10.
Thanks in advance!

I do agree with you about Samsung, that is why I passed to oneplus few years ago, the only thing I do miss is the camera quality.
A part of that, you'll be happy to have your phone rooted (Magisk is amazing!)
I suggest you the section of this forum GUIDES, NEWS AND DISCUSSION; once there you'll find the guide titled "OnePlus 6: Unlock Bootloader | Flash TWRP | Root | Nandroid & EFS Backup !!"
It looks more difficult than with Samsung but it isn't at all!
Good luck man and welcome to the Dark side

bebop80 said:
I do agree with you about Samsung, that is why I passed to oneplus few years ago, the only thing I do miss is the camera quality.
A part of that, you'll be happy to have your phone rooted (Magisk is amazing!)
I suggest you the section of this forum GUIDES, NEWS AND DISCUSSION; once there you'll find the guide titled "OnePlus 6: Unlock Bootloader | Flash TWRP | Root | Nandroid & EFS Backup !!"
It looks more difficult than with Samsung but it isn't at all!
Good luck man and welcome to the Dark side
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, I checked the forum.
Kindly help me to understand few things -
Do I need to install Twrp tp install Magisk?
Will I lose any apps like snapchat?

You can root your phone also without installing the twrp (if you are not intended to deep mod your phone). I'd suggest anyway to install the twrp.
Yes, magisk is needed it can be compared as the supersu but with extended feautures.
If I don't mistake (I did unlock my bootloader on my 1st day I owned the oneplus) all data will be wiped and yes... You might loose your data.
If you can make a backup of your photos, videos and any extra file on a PC and after the unlock and root procedure you can restore them.
All other app can just be downloaded again.... ???

for people mentioning about adfree & background youtube, this can be done in a virgin phone also. just install the vanced apk.

JerryGoyal said:
for people mentioning about adfree & background youtube, this can be done in a virgin phone also. just install the vanced apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am already using YouTube vanced, it's great.

bebop80 said:
You can root your phone also without installing the twrp (if you are not intended to deep mod your phone). I'd suggest anyway to install the twrp.
Yes, magisk is needed it can be compared as the supersu but with extended feautures.
If I don't mistake (I did unlock my bootloader on my 1st day I owned the oneplus) all data will be wiped and yes... You might loose your data.
If you can make a backup of your photos, videos and any extra file on a PC and after the unlock and root procedure you can restore them.
All other app can just be downloaded again.... ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I'll be doing this on next weekend. I'll post query if I have any doubts. Thanks!

I find that making phone calls with this device seem to be the thing that most people do

bebop80 said:
You can root your phone also without installing the twrp (if you are not intended to deep mod your phone). I'd suggest anyway to install the twrp.
Yes, magisk is needed it can be compared as the supersu but with extended feautures.
If I don't mistake (I did unlock my bootloader on my 1st day I owned the oneplus) all data will be wiped and yes... You might loose your data.
If you can make a backup of your photos, videos and any extra file on a PC and after the unlock and root procedure you can restore them.
All other app can just be downloaded again.... ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am unable to flash twrp from adb,i ve unlocked the bootloader.any help?

nvrmndryo said:
I am unable to flash twrp from adb,i ve unlocked the bootloader.any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow this guide
h***s://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-install-twrp/
Double check all the adb instructions before confirming them and check that you have all the right files necessary for the operation. (start your pc terminal as administrator)

bebop80 said:
Follow this guide
h***s://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-install-twrp/
Double check all the adb instructions before confirming them and check that you have all the right files necessary for the operation. (start your pc terminal as administrator)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. successfully rooted my phone.

Just bought a P3A, do I update prior to rooting

I will take delivery of a new Pixel 3a later this week. I will thoroughly read through “How to root the Pixel 3a with or without twrp & take OTA updates once rooted” and “How to Root Your Pixel 3a and Install Magisk (on Pie & Q) with or without TWRP”. But before unlocking bootloader and rooting should I accept all updates first during the initial setup?

MrTooPhone said:
I will take delivery of a new Pixel 3a later this week. I will thoroughly read through “How to root the Pixel 3a with or without twrp & take OTA updates once rooted” and “How to Root Your Pixel 3a and Install Magisk (on Pie & Q) with or without TWRP”. But before unlocking bootloader and rooting should I accept all updates first during the initial setup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes

bejunk said:
Yes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. The little reading I have done so far, it sounds like you can not flash or boot TWRP in Android 10. Won't all the updates take me to 10? I will want to back up my ROMs.

MrTooPhone said:
Thanks. The little reading I have done so far, it sounds like you can not flash or boot TWRP in Android 10. Won't all the updates take me to 10? I will want to back up my ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, i forgot as i dont use TWRP anymore.
Yes TWRP only works on Android 9.
However you can't install it like in the past time. You can only boot it via fastboot. You need to do this everytime you want to use TWRP. However when i tried it in past times it did not work well afaik, a full backup did not work at all.
So yeah try it with Android 9 first.
But with all the google backups nowadays i dont have the need for a nandroid (twrp backup)...
Especially as you can just reflash the stock image with deleting /data.
Here is the main thread, i think it will be more helpfull than i am https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-3a/development/twrp-3-3-1-pixel-3a-t3943413

The very first thing to do is minimal setup so you can enable developer settings and allow bootloader unlocking. That's a sticky setting, so then you can update, factory reset, etc. before actually unlocking the bootloader and rooting. Especially important if you're US/Verizon (don't put your SIM in until bootloader unlocking is enabled).

mike.s said:
The very first thing to do is minimal setup so you can enable developer settings and allow bootloader unlocking. That's a sticky setting, so then you can update, factory reset, etc. before actually unlocking the bootloader and rooting. Especially important if you're US/Verizon (don't put your SIM in until bootloader unlocking is enabled).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. So I read the two rooting threads I referenced above. I have always used TWRP in the past, but seeing it not supported in Android 10, I am considering skipping that. Do you think TWRP will support Android 10 in the future? I am a little nervous making changes without a backup. My plan would be to stick with a rooted stock at first than consider migrating to a custom ROM. Any recommendations are appreciated. Phone will be delivered tomorrow.

bejunk said:
But with all the google backups nowadays i dont have the need for a nandroid (twrp backup)...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure what you mean by "google backups nowadays". Is it the availability of stock ROMs?

MrTooPhone said:
I am not sure what you mean by "google backups nowadays". Is it the availability of stock ROMs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No , I think most people use a TWRP backup because it restores you to a specifiic point with all your apps, user settings and your data in those apps.
Thats why i used it in the past times. Setiing up a phone in the past could be really time consuming and frustrating.
But nowadays, if you use the google backup (in Settings > System > Backup) (and the whatsapp one for messages - thtas the only messenger i use, but every other popular messager has a backup feature now) setting up the phone takes maybe 10 mins when i flash the factory image, it even gets my homescreen layout and my wallpaper back, also my settings. Apps which support that also keep their settings.
In the past i allways had a custom rom, because stock rom sucked. But with the Pixel theres no reason for me to use a custom rom anymore.
About root, i rooted my phone since i first used android, ca. 2010. But now I really dont need it anymore, so i just keep things stock.
---------- Post added at 16:03 ---------- Previous post was at 15:50 ----------
MrTooPhone said:
Thanks. So I read the two rooting threads I referenced above. I have always used TWRP in the past, but seeing it not supported in Android 10, I am considering skipping that. Do you think TWRP will support Android 10 in the future? I am a little nervous making changes without a backup. My plan would be to stick with a rooted stock at first than consider migrating to a custom ROM. Any recommendations are appreciated. Phone will be delivered tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think TWRP will be supported in the futur on A10. Google locked up /system and some other partitions the TWRP team needs to find new solutions but there id not much hope.
Did you buy your phone unlocked? If yes, the worst part you should be worried about is losing you app data from some apps. You cant really brick your phone. In the worst case you just need to flash a factory image.
You should know that rooting your phone will probably break google pay and banking apps. May i ask what did you want use root for?
I dunno, I really like Lineage OS, but it just feels like a downgraded stock rom.. (I used it before all the time on all phones before getting a pixel).
Also, for every update (monthly) you need to patch your boot.img, flash it, and the apply the update. Its some work which i dont think is worth it anymore.

bejunk said:
May i ask what did you want use root for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the detailed reply. I am coming from a MotoG3 (rooted stock), a 2015 era phone. So a lot has changed. I really have not seen a mid range phone I really liked, so I jumped on the P3a when I heard the news they were being discontinued.
I use root mainly for Adfree, SD-Maid, and Titanium Backup. I used to use Cerberus until the developer reneged on a lifetime subscription. I don't mess with the system apps much, but I do keep a few apps frozen except for the times when I seldom need them.

Magisk is the best way to root your phone as it still passes the SafetyNet check and google pay and banking apps continue to work. There is an excellent thread here on how to do it.
[Guide] How to root the Pixel 3a with or without twrp & take OTA updates once rooted
Every month, I "uninstall" magisk (which really just restores the original boot files) and sideload the latest update, then I install the magisk-patched boot.img and my phone is rooted again.
To be honest, I don't miss twrp at all. adb and fastboot are all that's needed. The backup in android 10 is perfectly sufficient.
This phone is practically impossible to brick. I love my Pixel 3a, except for the one problem I had when the bottom speaker died and I had to have it repaired under warranty at the local ubreakifix in less than an hour.

MrTooPhone said:
Thanks for the detailed reply. I am coming from a MotoG3 (rooted stock), a 2015 era phone. So a lot has changed. I really have not seen a mid range phone I really liked, so I jumped on the P3a when I heard the news they were being discontinued.
I use root mainly for Adfree, SD-Maid, and Titanium Backup. I used to use Cerberus until the developer reneged on a lifetime subscription. I don't mess with the system apps much, but I do keep a few apps frozen except for the times when I seldom need them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I had that phone too It was pretty good for its time. I even replaced the screen once, but its really complicated on that phone... To your needs:
Adfree: you can setup a custom DNS server (i think it was adguards one) in the settings menu which will block all ads, so no real need anymore for adaway or root for this. Just google a bit.
Titanium backup: I does not work so well is what i heard and like said nowadays most apps backup over Google backup. With Android11 it will get even harder as /data partition is even more protected now. Not really worth it imho.
Froze system apps: Pixel Android is really barebones. The few apps which i dont need (like Google Music/Video PixelBuds app etc) you can just disable them in the settings. This will freeze them, its like uninstalling them, they wont show up at all.
SD Maid is great but only rooting it for using it, is not worth it. You can clear the cache of the apps which hoard a lot of data by yourself. Also, when you uninatll an app, it asks you if you want to delete your userdata as well. The phone takes care of the rest.
Cerberus: If you keep your bootloader locked, when your phone gets stolen, nobody can access your phone. Even if they reflash it, on first boot it will ask to login to the gmail last time set up. Theres no workaroud. Google aslo has a find my device thingy, wher you can track or delete your device remotly.
I would suggest to use your phone unrooted for some time, and if you really need to root it for something, you can still do it.
Welcome to team Pixel, mate!
(sorry my grammer im to lazy to double check it...)

@bejunk Just a not to say thanks again. I took your advice and did not root. However, I did flash with GrapheneOS and then re-locked the bootloader. Time will tell if I like it.