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"To Root or not to Root?" that's the question...

I don't want to know how to root, I can find my answer for that on Google, however what I don't get is what it does...
I know it unlocks the device somehow, but can't I simply access everything in the system if I compile android from source and install it on the device?
I have downloaded the android source and I believe I can access every possible thing, so why is rooting needed?
If I install an app as a system app, won't it automatically have the permissions to do what I need it to do?

AFAIK rooting is for the people you'd call the end user/consumer or whatever.
If you have a new phone and want to install one of the many custom ROMs around, you simply need a rooted phone.
A custom ROM is in easy terms a custom made User Interface for the phone.
There is lot more complicated stuff going on under the hood, but in general you change the look and feel of you phone's UI.
The phone has to be rooted, because the manufacturers and net providers around pack a lot of useless crap called "bloatware" (like Samsung Shop and Samsung Play and Samsung Sing and Dance and Music and whatnot) on your phone, which often makes it slower than it can be without it.
But naturally the big corps don't want you to be able to get rid of that **** too easily, which is why you don't have access to the system folders as a normal user.
I guess in your case it's possible that you (if you compiled android from source and installed it on your device) so to say have an already rooted phone, since Android itself is rooted by default. Like I said, the manufacturers are the ones to unroot Android in order to dictate which apps their customers might or might not use.
But I'm a noob and am not sure how you would install Android on your phone if it's new (and unrooted by default?) if you haven't rooted it before?
meh, hope that helped a bit at least...

root- you would love to do it after reading this..
Root? what is it?
it is what i call full access to our phone, flash new roms, have dual boot (example- you can have to os like ics and JB), can access the evasive /data folder which holdes the apk/setups of apps installed from playstore and many other things..
If you are concerned about warranty you can unroot your phone and give in your phone for warranty. i have given my phone for warranty like this.
The most important thing i like about root is that i can fix my phone myself (if it is a software problem). any other question please ask, and i will answer it.
Thanks if helped!

I don't have the time for development anymore. I used to play with stuff like that years ago, but life has taken me away from it. I'd still like to be able to access everything on my phone and play with custom roms, and root lets me do that. The end consumer comment is a good one.
As for to root or not root, I tell most people who ask me to root for them what they use their phone for and explain what they would get out of rooting, and explain the risks involved. Seems that people who understand what rooting does are able to do it themselves, and the ones that ask you to do it for them usually decide against it after hearing "there is a tiny chance that your phone could get bricked" lol

If you just want to play emulators etc, how would you benefit from rooting?

IMO rooting is very useful if you want to keep touching system things in a stock rom, optimizing and debloating it, installing other people ROMs, etc... I believe that if you compile your own flavour of android and find no restriction doing whatever you want, you don't need to.

Android phone without root is nothing

McFex said:
AFAIK rooting is for the people you'd call the end user/consumer or whatever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:good:
McFex said:
But I'm a noob and am not sure how you would install Android on your phone if it's new (and unrooted by default?) if you haven't rooted it before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some phones can just be flashed (for example via usb) which gives you full control, others can be cracked.

Asking for opinion regarding customizing tablet for nursing staff

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.
Click to expand...
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.

Help Me Debloating Samsung A51 Android 12

I am using Samsung A51 running on Android 12. My device is lagging since last few days. I want to debloat my device. I had debloated once, but it stopped working settings app when it was running on android 11.
I need the debloating list which don't crash any essential app.
Please help me.

hello, for more comfortable debloating i will recommend you to use ADBAppControl.
i do not know by what way i debloadted my phone, but in that programm you have a feature of backing up the .apk file of the application you uninstalled.
You can debloat your phone by this tactic
1. Debloat your phone without uninstalling system applications;
2. Debloat your phone by uninstalling samsung applications (samsung free, samsung galaxy friends);
* If you want more, you can follow this site: https://www.alliancex.org/shield/apps.html
or (i do not think, really) flash a custom ROM, like elementary OS
If it was help, let me know)

vmirrimv said:
hello, for more comfortable debloating i will recommend you to use ADBAppControl.
i do not know by what way i debloadted my phone, but in that programm you have a feature of backing up the .apk file of the application you uninstalled.
You can debloat your phone by this tactic
1. Debloat your phone without uninstalling system applications;
2. Debloat your phone by uninstalling samsung applications (samsung free, samsung galaxy friends);
* If you want more, you can follow this site: https://www.alliancex.org/shield/apps.html
or (i do not think, really) flash a custom ROM, like elementary OS
If it was help, let me know)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot. I'll give a try.

Hello, by the way, now I want to go back to the custom ROM, and I may make a video about what I will be able to remove from the phone avoiding future bugs and problems. if you want

vmirrimv said:
Hello, by the way, now I want to go back to the custom ROM, and I may make a video about what I will be able to remove from the phone avoiding future bugs and problems. if you want
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, give me the video link.

hello, wait about 30 minutes

THE video is done! But I am sorry about its quality

Leave a feedback, if it helps)

Just debloated by this way. But the ram usage is same.

i would say it is the problem of the ROM, because it uses another frameworks for modules of wi-fi, for example or of mobile communication.
When I used SuperiorOS, where the most programm part has been built as open-source, the usage was at least 2 times less.
But you should not only focus on RAM usage, because those apps drain you battery and internet traffic, too

vmirrimv said:
i would say it is the problem of the ROM, because it uses another frameworks for modules of wi-fi, for example or of mobile communication.
When I used SuperiorOS, where the most programm part has been built as open-source, the usage was at least 2 times less.
But you should not only focus on RAM usage, because those apps drain you battery and internet traffic, too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any bug free custom rom?

Sorry i did not get you, can you type it in another words?

Do you have any custom rom without any error/faults?

If you ask me, I do not have, but I can advise ROMs from another users of XDA
They are like SuperiorOS (with custom kernel installed, for avoiding MTP issue, with GAPPS), ElemantaryOS or Refined UI
Other ROMs I simply do not perceive as something needed to do so (because of its quality).

But you need understand, that nobody except of the manufacturer will create a bug-free OS for the certain phone, I think.
But custom ROMs like ElementaryOS and Refined UI ones seem to be a good choice, because they has been created by modifying the stock ROM

And there is also the question you need to ask youself: why do I need it?
If answers are like I want a faster experience or new features then I would say that it's not worth it
I think the problem is, that you do not want to use your device as it was intented to be, but you want to play with it by modifying and so one.
If it is, then I would say that this way of spending time is void and meaningless

vmirrimv said:
And there is also the question you need to ask youself: why do I need it?
If answers are like I want a faster experience or new features then I would say that it's not worth it
I think the problem is, that you do not want to use your device as it was intented to be, but you want to play with it by modifying and so one.
If it is, then I would say that this way of spending time is void and meaningless
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U didn't get me. I want a minimalistic lightweight OS with less ram and battery usage. I used elementary os running on android 11. I have come to stock rom for android 12. And i did very wrong.

So then, I will recommend you SuperiorOS, but there are some bugs with Bluetooth and MTP. Although, I think, there are no official supported custom ROMs for SM-A515F.

But if you want to flash this ROM on your phone, you will need to downgrade (roll back) your Android version to 11 (as I tried on 12th, it did not work).

vmirrimv said:
So then, I will recommend you SuperiorOS, but there are some bugs with Bluetooth and MTP. Although, I think, there are no official supported custom ROMs for SM-A515F.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you give me the link please !!

Unreasonable Expectations?

I've been struggling for several years, more off than on, with successfully rooting a phone. Bought two inexpensive Moto phones with full acceptance of me screwing up and ending with 2 bricks. So far, I've accomplished getting TWRP on one (XT-1925-6 ali) and apparently this device is so old that no custom OS exists. The second device ( XT2117-4 borneo) is newer but locating a reliable TWRP has been mildly frustrating but not yet giving up.
It occurred to me this morning (would have been nice a few years ago) that my expectations for a rooted phone may be unreasonable. So, here is what I was/am hoping for a result in rooting a phone.
1- freedom from Google surveillance & tracking activity .
2- usable phone service with a carrier & Internet capable (WiFi & data) browser
3- The only must have apps are: Proton VPN, Proton Mail, Bitwarden, Aegis or other non-Google OTP
4- I use few apps and most are not Play Store based. I currently use no Play Store apps but was told that
some custom OS packages include Play Store clones that don't have surveillance. ?
I would appreciate one of the resident experts commenting on my wishes. I don't mind burning the hours to get to my goal but can use the time profitably in other arenas if it isn't feasible.
Cordially,
WVmtn249
PS- for those with a broad streak of curiosity- I'm a long retired mechanical engineer with experience in PC's going back to the IBM 5100 but starting from scratch in the Android world. Cancer came calling 7 years ago and suddenly I had lots of time but then maybe not so much. This explains the more off than on.
If you are 40's or older and not getting an annual prostate exam, I strongly encourage you to begin immediately. Feel free to contact me if you need further motivation.

Hi, welcome aboard.
I have a borneo too. While I've hacked other devices extensively I haven't been motivated to do much with this one.
I don't do much with TWRP, usually preferring to just patch the stock recovery for rooted, permissive ADB.
With EDL you can easily pull boot or recovery images. Yeah, there are some of these on the internet. I prefer to see what's actually on my device.
Unfortunately, the only Firehose loaders for EDL that I can find have this Lenovo/Motorola "range restricted" where you can't just dump everything.
So, in the meantime, I work on other projects.

wvmtn249 said:
So far, I've accomplished getting TWRP on one (XT-1925-6 ali) and apparently this device is so old that no custom OS exists
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know how well they work as I have not tried them. But there are a bunch linked at https://forum.xda-developers.com/f/moto-g6-roms-kernels-recoveries-other-develop.7639/ , some with, or most do not include gapps.
wvmtn249 said:
4- I use few apps and most are not Play Store based. I currently use no Play Store apps but was told that
some custom OS packages include Play Store clones that don't have surveillance. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again I have not tried these roms so don't know the details of their contents. But this one is simple enough to get similar results even on whatever you are running now. Just install Aurora Store from here: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.aurora.store/
Some roms include this instead of play store, maybe some on the above linked page might include it too.

What's really at stake if rooting an older phone?

My phone is 5 years old, and hasn't had any OTA updates in years and its got no warranty. Apparently my older version of Android 8, isn't recognized as much and I'm starting to encounter more and more Play store apps that want a newer version of android and refuse to load. Hence I had to learn how to sideload stuff which is really annoying.
After a quick google search I learned you can root your phone and there is an Android 11 image called Lineage OS 18.1 ... which sounds pretty sweet. BUT after additional searches, I'm reading so many cons about rooting a phone. If bricking it isn't a concern, and I don't have a warrantee to void. What's at risk? I was probably going to buy a new phone anyways but now I'm intregued with this rooting process and wondiering if it might buy me time on a older phone that still works amazingly well. Why replace it if it still works, it just needs new software.
Questions: If I install Lineage OS 18.1 successfully...
Will the Play Store and Apps continue to update, or will I stop receiving notifications regarding available updates? Or am I forever stuck with sideloading?
If I don't install G Apps is this bad? I don't use stock Google Apps, I've opted to use the Microsoft equivalent like Outlook for email and calendar... or do I still need to install Google Apps to gain the ability to layer Microsoft products on top?
Why is there so much negative talk about malware infection with rooted phones? If I'm not downloading and installing apps constantly, the risk would still be no more threatening than it is now correct?
Are there any apps that would realize the phone is rooted and refuse to run? Some searches told me that security apps may not like a rooted phone. Does rooting it affect Microsoft Authenticator app?
Lastly, if I only want to pick and choose specific G Apps - can you install only the ones you need? or do they come all bundled together?
Thanks in advance,

What's really at stake if rooting an older phone?​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ii is easy to answer:
Pro: Complete Control Over Your Device​
One of the most significant benefits of rooting your Android device is the ability to have complete control over it. You can remove any pre-installed apps that you don’t need, customize the look and feel of your device, and control every aspect of its performance. With rooting, the possibilities are endless, and you can make your device truly your own.
Con: Risk of Bricking Your Device​One of the most significant risks of rooting your Android device is the potential to brick it. Bricking is when your device becomes completely unusable due to a software malfunction. If you’re not careful, you can render your device useless. However, if you follow the instructions carefully and take the proper precautions, you can minimize the risk of bricking your device.

Speed up older Android hardware with a custom ROM​
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Click to collapse
Installing a custom ROM ( or a 3rd-party OS ) allows your device to live a second life, provided you can stomach the somewhat lengthy process. Custom ROMs become especially useful once your smartphone’s manufacturer stops delivering software and feature updates. Most ROMs are also based on vanilla Android ( AOSP ), which means you get a lighter and faster experience than default manufacturer skins.
Having said that, it’s worth noting that custom ROMs are completely unofficial. Some work perfectly, while others may exhibit bugs and instability - you’ll need to do some due diligence for your specific device model. But don’t worry, here is a guide on how to install Lineage OS, one of the most popular custom ROMs.