The VTech Kidibuzz is a faux smartphone device that apparently is meant to be a kid's first "smartphone" while still being safe I guess. From what I can gather though, it's just an Android wifi-enabled tablet running some specific VTech stuff on it. I want to try to root it to see if I can flash custom firmware on it. Does anyone know if this would be possible, or if it's done before?
I haven't been able to find a way to access dev mode or any hidden settings, but it does interface with computers via USP or apparently SD card?
Alkalinology said:
The VTech Kidibuzz is a faux smartphone device that apparently is meant to be a kid's first "smartphone" while still being safe I guess. From what I can gather though, it's just an Android wifi-enabled tablet running some specific VTech stuff on it. I want to try to root it to see if I can flash custom firmware on it. Does anyone know if this would be possible, or if it's done before?
I haven't been able to find a way to access dev mode or any hidden settings, but it does interface with computers via USP or apparently SD card?
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You can "enable custom apps" which basically means install the amazon appstore from the "Parents" account -> Device Settings -> Get More Apps but more importantly you can enable unknown sources from More Apps settings and from there you can download an APK Downloader or use the built in web browser to download any app you want. You can get a hidden settings apk and view the normal android settings menus but when I tried to enable developer settings in there it didn't work , I 'm still trying to figure out how to get the Play Store to work properly on it. You can read/write user files over USB. . I'm still ****ing around with it though.
I think it is definitely rootable and easily exploitable, the OS (atleast on my model) was signed using test keys, meaning you can replace any system apk's with your own, I unfortunately cannot test this as curious as I am because the one I am playing around with right now is a Christmas present and I cannot afford to take the risk of bricking/breaking it. I was just trying to get things like Google Play and Hulu working.
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I am getting an Inspire to replace my messed up Captivate and end several months of frustration I hope. One thing is that I need to install some application from my company over the web. They are not in any market at all, we just follow a link and it downloads the apk file and then I can install them. I am not sure how far from the standard ROM I have to stray to allow me to install applications directly from the file system.
Is it enough to simply root the phone or do I need to actually place a custom ROM on the phone to get this feature? In my captivate I replaced the ROM as I needed Froyo to even use the applications but here the Inspire starts with Froyo so I am hoping I don't have to go that far.
I really wish ATT wasn't such a pain about locking down the market but allowed me to override it when I need to.
If you want to avoid rooting, etc (it's a pain in the ass on this phone) maybe you should just use the Sideload Wonder Machine?
http://www.androidcentral.com/sideload-android-apps-all-you-want-sideload-wonder-machine
meatrocket said:
If you want to avoid rooting, etc (it's a pain in the ass on this phone) maybe you should just use the Sideload Wonder Machine?
URL REMOVED BECAUSE I AM NEW
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Well that will certainly get me there with some manual intervention, I will have to see if I can actually get to the mobile page to download the software from my standard desktop browser, or perhaps I can still download them then use the tool to actually install them. Decisions Decisions. Do you know if simply rooting the phone will allow me to do installs as I see fit? I am not relishing the work to root the phone but would like to know the options.
captmiddy said:
Well that will certainly get me there with some manual intervention, I will have to see if I can actually get to the mobile page to download the software from my standard desktop browser, or perhaps I can still download them then use the tool to actually install them. Decisions Decisions. Do you know if simply rooting the phone will allow me to do installs as I see fit? I am not relishing the work to root the phone but would like to know the options.
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You can still download them to your phone, transfer it from your phone card to your pc and then install with SWM. That's what I do when I can't get them directly. You have to connect to your pc to use SWM already so you can do it in one fell swoop!
wraithevolution said:
You can still download them to your phone, transfer it from your phone card to your pc and then install with SWM. That's what I do when I can't get them directly. You have to connect to your pc to use SWM already so you can do it in one fell swoop!
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the new version of SWM, u can install straight from the SD card, no need to move them over.
I do this same thing with screenconnect remote support software. I just use a user agent switcher for FireFox to download the apk and then just use sideload wonder machine.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
hey folks,
I've been wondering lately if there is a way to change your ROM's "Agent" (just like in a web browser) to pretend that you're another phone/tablet than you're actually are....
a lot of games are only playable on a handful of devices, but if you happen to have a device that is strong enough, you still cant play it, because the developer hasnt specifically enabled the particular device.....
a good example for that might be the HP Touchpad.
its a good device....but the market wont allow you to download most games on it
it always tells you that "your device is not compatible with this app"
another example is if you happen to have a brand new device, that the developer havent had the chance to test the app on yet
is there some sort of entry somewhere in the rom, that you could change, so the market - would allow you to download those particular apps?
You can edit the "build.prop" file
Be carefull editing build.prop,back it up first
Sent from my blek krupuk
I just ordered a refurbished Asus tablet (the 16 gig one) from Tiger Direct and it says it will come with Honeycomb 3.0.
Now I looked around the message boards at the different rooting methods and its all much different then what I'm used to with rooting android phones.
I don't plan on putting new roms on the tablet, just other things like downloaded apps without going through the market.
Should I do the OTA update first before rooting or just root and not update? And which method is the easiest root method?
also to put apps on the tablet that say I downloaded from a website, does the tablet have to be rooted for that or not?
Sorry for all the questions, I just don't want to mess this up.
You don't need to be rooted to side load app, just make sure to allow "unknown source".
Settings> Applications> check the box to allow unknown source.
Personally i would upgrade even if you decide not to root.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
as baseballfanz said, you can download sideapps by checking a certain option in the settings menu... But you are right, some apps requiere a rooted device, thats often the case with apps that change bootanimation, theme and so on... But you do know that you loose warranty if you root your device?
Yes I do. I am not interested in changing the themes and boot animation and all that yet. Just thought that any apps installed outside the market could only be done by rooting.
Hi,
I'm currently programming an app for a hospital as a bachelorsproject. Now I've discussed with my mentor about the fact we want the devices to be used only as pupose for the app I'm making, apps we preinstall and future apps that are made for the personel thats using them.
Currently I'm working with a Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) running android 6.0.1 without it being rooted.
So what do you guys suggest with this I've done some reading along how to root whats possible and seen some guides for my device on how to root it.
What I want to do is actually have like a stock android so no samsung bloatware and microsoft apps etc, even chrome doesn't need to be installed as they don't need acces to browsing. And then pre install specific apps like my app, the one from the hospital itself, future apps and others we specifically need.
Also I'm new to android in general so can I create like a nurse user, and a IT-desk user so the IT desk user can log on the tablet and install an app, while the nurse doesn't even have acces to settings maybe.
Would love to hear what you guys think along what to do, and maybe some general steps like root it, flash a stock rom, create your (2)users, and install apps.
Tommyboy500 said:
Hi,
I'm currently programming an app for a hospital as a bachelorsproject. Now I've discussed with my mentor about the fact we want the devices to be used only as pupose for the app I'm making, apps we preinstall and future apps that are made for the personel thats using them.
Currently I'm working with a Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) running android 6.0.1 without it being rooted.
So what do you guys suggest with this I've done some reading along how to root whats possible and seen some guides for my device on how to root it.
What I want to do is actually have like a stock android so no samsung bloatware and microsoft apps etc, even chrome doesn't need to be installed as they don't need acces to browsing. And then pre install specific apps like my app, the one from the hospital itself, future apps and others we specifically need.
Also I'm new to android in general so can I create like a nurse user, and a IT-desk user so the IT desk user can log on the tablet and install an app, while the nurse doesn't even have acces to settings maybe.
Would love to hear what you guys think along what to do, and maybe some general steps like root it, flash a stock rom, create your (2)users, and install apps.
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Click to collapse
You could build an AOSP ROM for that model number with only the apps and features you choose, it would require AOSP source code and your stock source code.
Then, yes, android natively supports setting up user profiles, with root access you can set it so that the "nurse user" profile can only use the device and an "admin user" would have exclusive permissions to make whatever changes are needed. You can set it so that the "nurse user" would not be able to install new apps, wouldn't be able to browse the web or even set it so they could browse if needed but would be limited in what they can access on the web, and you'd be able to set it so they would be locked out of all settings.
What you want is very possible, the most difficult part would be compiling the ROM if you go that route, you may not need or want to though because with root, you can strip down the existing stock firmware to remove the extras you don't want or need.
Mind you, there would be some details and specifics to deal with that would require trial and error along the way, obviously.
Ok. Last year someone was able to tunnel into my network at home. Alot of crazy s*** went down. Long story short, I think there's something fishy going on again.. let me explain.
Everytime I get a new phone, laptop, desktop, etc. I start finding a ridiculous amount of hidden files and folders. The PC side is no longer the issue, now its moved to Android, I think?..
The question I want to know, is how can I compare my what my phone should be installing after a factory reset, file wise? I've looked for a list online to compare with and no luck so far. I also found that there is a partition of the internal storage, completely hidden and inaccessible. Like.. I can't see anything. Add that with permissions being changed randomly so I'm not able to take full control over these pesky little buggers.
In short, I'm either wayyyy to high off that last dab, or my phone is being tampered with. What can I do? Here's what I'm working with.
Samsung A21 (SM-S215DL) using Straight Talk. Attached is a screenshot of the SW mumbo jumbo. I really hope someone can help. TIA!
namdrop22 said:
The question I want to know, is how can I compare my what my phone should be installing after a factory reset, file wise? I've looked for a list online to compare with and no luck so far.
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Click to collapse
IMO nobody can tell you what apps to install after a Factory Reset: it's alone your decision what apps you want to run.
jwoegerbauer said:
IMO nobody can tell you what apps to install after a Factory Reset: it's alone your decision what apps you want to run.
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No no. You're missing the question here.
namdrop22 said:
No no. You're missing the question here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May be.
A Factory Reset doesn't install anything, it wipes all user apps and data. A Factory Reset never touches Android OS itself.
Look at the running apps and services, anything utilizating root or kernel or system privileges will not be in that list unless it's using a app to bootstrap but if you have a weird duplicate system app or an app with a strange name could help you narrow it down. if you have usb debugging enabled you may be able to run a logcat as well to see what messages the system is generating.
Does samsung offer any tools to read the boot log? You might find something In that too. Lastly, well you should do this first, check if there are any exploits or vulnerabilities with your phones software and hardware. Google search " chipset-or-software-name-here + escalate vulnerable cve exploit "
Check past software versions too, you could get hit while the vuln is unknown or lesser known then it patches the manufacturers patches.
Can u elaborate on these file systems or folders you say you have that are invisible?
Unless you loaded malware, a trojan etc on to the phone either in data from the PC, email download, an app you installed or a download from the internet.
Even so it would die with a factory reset... so do another factory reset so if you think so.
Then be careful what you allow into it.
Don't let anyone use your phone or access any of your devices ie flashcards, PC etc.
Run
SafetyNet Test - Apps on Google Play
SafetyNet device compatibility test
play.google.com
to check whether phone's Android got tampered or not