If I understand correctly every phone can be rooted (eventually) and only have the bootloader unlocked if it is not signed (there may be a work around, but not yet done/discovered).
So If the DX is signed and is rooted, what can't we do that having the bootloader unlocked would let us? I know loading an entire custom rom is one example. I am trying to see what the handicap "really" means to us in terms of what we can/can't change.
Personally if it will be rooted and that allows side-loading, custom themes, etc and loading a clean rom is the only thing we have to live without then that is something I can probably deal with and get the phone.
Any help explaining the distinction specifically would be great.
I posted this in another forum. I though it might help explain things.
sic004 said:
Let me try to make some basic comparisons using Windows OS as an example....
Rooting is simply getting access to the device's system as a "Super User" or SU. Think of it like an Administrator vs regular user on Windows. There are a lot of rudimentary things in Windows that you can only do as an Admin. Getting root access on a phone does allow you to add, modify, and delete things that a regular user cannot do. This will probably allow you to modify the theme to some extent, over clock the processor, add "unauthorized" programs, etc, etc, etc.
Having unrestricted access to the bootloader allows a user to load completely new ROMs. It would be like a Windows XP user installing a new OS like a super customized verson of XP, or upgrading to Windows7, or moving to Linux, or any other OS, etc, etc, etc.
The (suspected) problem with the Droid X bootloader is that it will only accept digitally signed ROMs from Motorola. So if Moto releases Froyo (which they have already annouced), then you can upgrade to that without problems (like going from XP to Windows7). What you cannot do is use the bootloader to install any other ROM that hasn't been officially released from Moto for the Droid X.
Is it something to worry about? I guess that depends on what you planned to do with your phone. If you are a "stock" phone kind of person, then you have nothing to worry about. Even if you wanted the ability to root and play around with some changes, you probably have nothing to worry about. But if you are a hard core "tweaker" that loves to push the envelop, or if you are worried about Moto dropping support for the Droid X (it will happen one day) and you want the ability to use customized ROMs, then this probably isn't the phone for you.
Hopefully this helps explain a little better the situation we face with the Droid X (at least as we know it today).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The other thing is that I wanted to clarify what the "digitally signed" bootloader means. Sometimes I've said things that are not really that clear....
A bootloader can be designed so that it checks and only allow properly digitally signed ROMs from being loaded. Some bootloaders do not have this "digitally signed" requirement and will load up any ROM. It is expected that the bootloader on the Droid X is one that will only work with digitally signed ROMs with Motorola's digital signature on them.
This means that only official Droid X ROMs released by Motorola itself will work on the device.
I hope that helps.
sic0048 said:
I posted this in another forum. I though it might help explain things.
The other thing is that I wanted to clarify what the "digitally signed" bootloader means. Sometimes I've said things that are not really that clear....
A bootloader can be designed so that it checks and only allow properly digitally signed ROMs from being loaded. Some bootloaders do not have this "digitally signed" requirement and will load up any ROM. It is expected that the bootloader on the Droid X is one that will only work with digitally signed ROMs with Motorola's digital signature on them.
This means that only official Droid X ROMs released by Motorola itself will work on the device.
I hope that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It helps a lot, much simpler than I thought. As long as I can tweak the phone I'll be happy, essentially that's what I flashed WinMo devices for, latest OS and custom apps. I'll hope we'll get Android 3 / Gingerbread for this device at some point after it is released end of year and assume that'll be the last major update. While it would be nice to load custom roms that are free of bloat and add in common apps, I can get by with just rooting it sounds like.
Thanks.
rolandroland said:
It helps a lot, much simpler than I thought. As long as I can tweak the phone I'll be happy, essentially that's what I flashed WinMo devices for, latest OS and custom apps. I'll hope we'll get Android 3 / Gingerbread for this device at some point after it is released end of year and assume that'll be the last major update. While it would be nice to load custom roms that are free of bloat and add in common apps, I can get by with just rooting it sounds like.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pray each and every night for a Root to the Droid X!!!
Please this needs to be rooted so I can hulk smash my eris and go buy one!
will a rooted-only droid x allow the user to change things such as the notification bar color? how about fonts or text colors? i much prefer the HTC black bar over the stock android white one. thanks in advance!
kheovnien said:
will a rooted-only droid x allow the user to change things such as the notification bar color? how about fonts or text colors? i much prefer the HTC black bar over the stock android white one. thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, I am 99.9% sure that you can using adb to push a different notification bar with custom colors and icons.
paul89 said:
yes, I am 99.9% sure that you can using adb to push a different notification bar with custom colors and icons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So then MetaMorph should work then, right?
Yes metamorphosis should work as long as nand. Is unlocked. But that's still not enough for me I need my custom roms etc changing the look does nothing for performance
bizzshow26 said:
Yes metamorphosis should work as long as nand. Is unlocked. But that's still not enough for me I need my custom roms etc changing the look does nothing for performance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I agree. I have been spoiled on the Eris and would never go back to a "regular" phone again. This just saved me spending $300 Thur, lol. I will just wait until its unlocked and rooted. And if it isnt, tons of other phones to chose from.
Good luck to the devs working on this.
Can't we use what they are using for the milestone and just work around the bootloader ?
Because they have custom roms and recovery
Related
Motorola got it so right with the Droid and then royally screwed it up with the Milestone by locking down it's bootloader, what are the odds with the new Droid X?
On a slight off topic speculation, same question for the Droid 2?
Charusen said:
Motorola got it so right with the Droid and then royally screwed it up with the Milestone by locking down it's bootloader, what are the odds with the new Droid X?
On a slight off topic speculation, same question for the Droid 2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Taking into account the number of previous models listed above, I'd say it's a 50/50 shot
cross my fingers, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye... lol
i can almost bet that the bootloader is locked. motorola said a few months back all their future phones will have locked bootloaders. just hope it can be hacked like the milestone, but desnt take as long.
bizzshow26 said:
i can almost bet that the bootloader is locked. motorola said a few months back all their future phones will have locked bootloaders. just hope it can be hacked like the milestone, but desnt take as long.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the only thing that would make me return the Droid X. As far as I know, the Milestone bootloader still hasn't been cracked, and months on from its release, it's not looking that likely. I'm using the first 30 days to see if I can put custom roms on there or not -- if I can't, I'll go return it and wait for a better phone.
just read and no the milestone bootloader hasnt been unlocked. just hope they dont lock down this bootloader if they do i will keep my droid around for hacking perposes
If I cant put custom roms on this phone, I will not be getting it.
we may have to wait and see if their going to lock it down. i pray not, i want to keep custom roms but would rather overclock and keep the stock usablility or just theme my phone
From what I've heard, the bootloader is signed. Does anybody know if there's been any progress on the Milestone with the kexec method?
Are retail devices have Locked BootLoaders.
G1BRICKED said:
Are retail devices have Locked BootLoaders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a bit of a bummer, but I mean the phone is just plainly better than an Evo. Even if it can't flash roms, having root inside the OS is still ok. I mean that way we can do wifi tethering and stuff like that.
What really impresses me from this phone is the GPU. The Evo's sucks.
jigglywiggly said:
That's a bit of a bummer, but I mean the phone is just plainly better than an Evo. Even if it can't flash roms, having root inside the OS is still ok. I mean that way we can do wifi tethering and stuff like that.
What really impresses me from this phone is the GPU. The Evo's sucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, the GPU in this is really helping to sell me on it. TBH I don't mind not having custom ROMs (Android custom ROM's aren't nearly as necessary as WinMo custom ROMs IMO), but I really want to be able to overclock, since hopefully this will be able to get up to 1.2-1.3GHz, at least.
iamrobk said:
Yeah, the GPU in this is really helping to sell me on it. TBH I don't mind not having custom ROMs (Android custom ROM's aren't nearly as necessary as WinMo custom ROMs IMO), but I really want to be able to overclock, since hopefully this will be able to get up to 1.2-1.3GHz, at least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sure it can do those frequencies provided someone hacks the bootloader. But I have a feeling even if the snapdragon is at 1.2ghz it probably is equal to the Droid x's 1ghz OMAP proc.
It's just a better phone, it just has a bit odd stylistically, thank goodness the front looks smexy.
I wish Froyo would come out to it earlier, but it's not a must. (I want Flash )
With all the competition I can't see myself picking this up with a locked boot loader. Development efforts will seriously be non existent. Foolish on motorola's part. They gain nothing by locking it and ultimately lose sales.
Can someone clarify: an earlier poster said that the bootloader had been accessed, but the rest of the posts are going along the lines that the bootloader is NOT unlocked...
does anyone have any clarity for this one
timing?
Using the Droid as an example anyone remember how long it took "them" to figure out whether the bootloader was locked? Trying to figure out if this will be determined before I trying to pick one up on the 15th.
Wow this has been eye opening. I have been a long time winmo user and love flashing ROM's. I'm about to switch to verizon and was already sold on the X but after reading about the locked boot loader I think I'll stick with HTC devices, or at least the original moto droid. This will be a deal breaker sorry moto
There is a person at androidforums who has a Droid X. He is doing a Q&A right now. He has been asked twice (once by me) if the bootloader is locked or not. He is unsure how to check this (as am I). Figured someone here may be able to help him out. Since I cannot post links the thread is "Droid X in my hands on monday". Hopefully something good will come out of this.
jte6263 said:
Wow this has been eye opening. I have been a long time winmo user and love flashing ROM's. I'm about to switch to verizon and was already sold on the X but after reading about the locked boot loader I think I'll stick with HTC devices, or at least the original moto droid. This will be a deal breaker sorry moto
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All Winmo / HTC phones are locked at the beginning and you get a great unlocker usually from Olipro. It usually takes a month or so for this to happen. Not sure why you would think an Android device would be different or why this would be a deal breaker for you. I am sure there will be someone who knows enough about the bootloader who will figure out how to unlock it.
symyn said:
All Winmo / HTC phones are locked at the beginning and you get a great unlocker usually from Olipro. It usually takes a month or so for this to happen. Not sure why you would think an Android device would be different or why this would be a deal breaker for you. I am sure there will be someone who knows enough about the bootloader who will figure out how to unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would feel more at ease if the precedence set by the milestone didn't exist...
Alright, I currently have an Incredible. I have yet to root it, because I'm thinking about using my 30 day satisfaction guarantee to switch for the DroidX. Now, from my understanding, root is essentially inevitable on all phones. However, the Incredible has custom ROMs available already, whereas from reading a thread elsewhere, it's looking like it will be nigh impossible to get custom ROMs for the DroidX? Is this true? Does that mean the Incredible is unsigned?
I was considering switching to the DroidX because of the bigger screen, better video and sound quality, among other reasons. Should I still consider this, or am I better off sticking with my Incredible?
The Inc. bootloader apparently will work with non-signed ROMs. Motorola has started to make their bootloaders check for a valid digital signature on any ROM it starts to load. If there is not a valid digital signature on the ROM, it won't load it. Therefore you cannot load a custom ROM with that type of bootloader. It hasn't been determined if the bootloader on the X will only work with digitally signed ROMs, but that is the expectation.
Whether or not you care depends on what you expect to do with the phone. Many people don't care to load custom ROMs. If the manufacturer keeps up with development, then the need for custom ROMs drops even further. There will always be those people that want to play around and tweak ROMs, but the general poplulation won't bother with ROMs.
It just depends on what you want to do.....
This is purely a guess... but I would venture to say the X will be rooted at some point. I'm basing this off the assumption nothing new is being implemented here. I can't imagine this phone is suddenly using some new technology that cannot be cracked.
But who knows. Only time will tell.
sic0048 said:
It just depends on what you want to do.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I understand it, the Milestone is the only phone Motorola has locked down the ability to load unsigned roms. Is it also the only Android phone released by Motorola since the Droid? How can we know if this is something they simply decided to do after they released the Droid or if it was a one-off? I've read they said they will require signed roms on all future phones, but who knows. I thought the Droid was vanilla android, is the milestone not. If it runs without a manufacturer custom UI, what's the point of locking it down?
I dropped my iPhone in the lake a month ago, but was planning on replacing it in July with an Android phone anyway. I was waiting for the Evo, and now the Droid X but I don't think I can wait any longer without a phone. Reading all the reviews of the Droid X I've just ignored all critisism of the UI assuming I'd be able to throw vanilla Froyo on there within a few days when the community released something. This is really discouraging and sorry to say even with the Motorola UI I think it's still my best option. As a side rant, I know it's been said before, but I don't see how this is any different than buying a computer and not being allowed to put whatever OS I want on it as long as I can find drivers. It seems like the sort of thing the FTC would go after Dell or HP for doing, so why should smart-phones be any different, especially unsubsidized? In short, to answer your question, I'd like to not have the annoyance of feeling like MY hardware is being arbitrarily limited by the manufacturer, even if their custom android "does" everything I need it to.
What if you wanted to do development on your phone and not just virtual consoles on your computer. In a year or two is your only option going to be a designated development phone like the Nexus One? I can see why it has little effect on Motorola, people who care make up a very small percentage, but shouldn't Google care enough to step in and prevent Motorola from doing this?
Ok, I'm fairly new to all this, which leads me to my confusion on this issue. If we are worried about the bootloader, as with the milestone - no roms then what is this about?
[ROM][V0.3][28.06.2010] Senseui Mod for Milestone - xda-developers
Is he using a different version of milestone?
All im looking to do is get rid of the bloat apps that the X comes with. Even if we cant have custom roms, can this still be done? Im coming from an Omnia and i know the only way to get rid of the useless stuff was to flash. Does this work the same way with Android?
Yes Yes i have never had a Android phone before. Very excited about making the switch once the X is released
sjones765 said:
Ok, I'm fairly new to all this, which leads me to my confusion on this issue. If we are worried about the bootloader, as with the milestone - no roms then what is this about?
[ROM][V0.3][28.06.2010] Senseui Mod for Milestone - xda-developers
Is he using a different version of milestone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I understand, there's a[n experimental?] method to bypass the bootloader entirely on the milestone, and slip in a custom ROM that way. I think it's called kextern.
Mudvayne622 said:
All im looking to do is get rid of the bloat apps that the X comes with. Even if we cant have custom roms, can this still be done? Im coming from an Omnia and i know the only way to get rid of the useless stuff was to flash. Does this work the same way with Android?
Yes Yes i have never had a Android phone before. Very excited about making the switch once the X is released
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once it's rooted, yes, you could easily do that. However if you don't like the psuedo-blur UI, there would be no way to get rid of that if the bootloader is encrypted.
Jyosua said:
However if you don't like the psuedo-blur UI, there would be no way to get rid of that if the bootloader is encrypted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installing something like LauncherPro will go a long way towards removing the blur-like elements on the droidx. Getting rid of the motorola widgets and using a 3rd party launcher brings you fairly close to a stock android experience.
about DroidX development
The developer will need to CUSTOM make it for the EVO.
I started a thread in the main section (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2321122) about android phones, specifically the Galaxy S4 and HTC One, as I am looking at getting a work phone and thought I'd go for something different from my iphone.
After having a play with the S4 and One in store I prefer the One, however one thing I don't like with the One is the black background/wallpaper for the app screen and other menus, and much prefer the look of the S4's (see pics on the other thread). From the other thread I have been advised that you can change this on the One, but this would require rooting/hacking the phone. I don't mind doing this but am worried a little about glitches, is there a ROM that is generally regarded as 'glitch free' for this phone?
Also, I am a little concerned about warranty as any hacking or unlocking is apparently flagged, although again I have been advised that you can get something called s-off for the one that takes away the flags that say it's been hacked/unlocked. Is this true? If so what is s-off and where do you get it from?
Alternative to rooting the phone, is it likely that you will be able to make such changes to the 'look' of the phone/UI at some point, maybe with a ROM update, or OS update?
snerkler said:
I started a thread in the main section (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2321122) about android phones, specifically the Galaxy S4 and HTC One, as I am looking at getting a work phone and thought I'd go for something different from my iphone.
After having a play with the S4 and One in store I prefer the One, however one thing I don't like with the One is the black background/wallpaper for the app screen and other menus, and much prefer the look of the S4's (see pics on the other thread). From the other thread I have been advised that you can change this on the One, but this would require rooting/hacking the phone. I don't mind doing this but am worried a little about glitches, is there a ROM that is generally regarded as 'glitch free' for this phone?
Also, I am a little concerned about warranty as any hacking or unlocking is apparently flagged, although again I have been advised that you can get something called s-off for the one that takes away the flags that say it's been hacked/unlocked. Is this true? If so what is s-off and where do you get it from?
Alternative to rooting the phone, is it likely that you will be able to make such changes to the 'look' of the phone/UI at some point, maybe with a ROM update, or OS update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, firstly yes, the black background can be changed to any picture or colour that you wish, however you will need to be rooted first.
Secondly, Android Revolution HD is regarded as one of the best stock ROMs with optimisations and it will always be glitch free.
Thirdly, S-OFF can be achieved via Revone which will mean you have full warranty. I would be happy to do this for you if you couldn't do it yourself.
Finally, you will never get an update from HTC which will allow further customization
MacHackz said:
Hi, firstly yes, the black background can be changed to any picture or colour that you wish, however you will need to be rooted first.
Secondly, Android Revolution HD is regarded as one of the best stock ROMs with optimisations and it will always be glitch free.
Thirdly, S-OFF can be achieved via Revone which will mean you have full warranty. I would be happy to do this for you if you couldn't do it yourself.
Finally, you will never get an update from HTC which will allow further customization
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this, and taking the time to answer all questions. I've read numerous reports that the latest android OS will be available for the HTC One soon, is this a myth, or are you saying that an android update doesn't allow any different features or customisation?
snerkler said:
Thanks for this, and taking the time to answer all questions. I've read numerous reports that the latest android OS will be available for the HTC One soon, is this a myth, or are you saying that an android update doesn't allow any different features or customisation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already have the latest OS, because Android Revolution has it
MacHackz said:
I already have the latest OS, because Android Revolution has it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. What exactly is the ROM then? I understand what the OS is, and what the UI is, but what's the ROM and what does it do? (Sorry for the newbie questions)
snerkler said:
Cool. What exactly is the ROM then? I understand what the OS is, and what the UI is, but what's the ROM and what does it do? (Sorry for the newbie questions)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ROM is basically your system, so a new ROM upgrades your system components and modules for the best experience.
MacHackz said:
The ROM is basically your system, so a new ROM upgrades your system components and modules for the best experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To elaborate further a Rom basically is a package with an os usually customized by the dev, which obviously includes the ui, and a kernel. Arhd which was mentioned is a very nice stable Rom which includes android 4.2.2 which as of this date is the very latest released. The official 4.2.2 update is coming sometime pretty soon to the developer edition phones... When it gets to carrier based models after that is carrier dependant and could take a while.
Thanks for the replies guys. It does make me wonder why developers restrict their ROMs so much if the phones are capable of so much more?
Another 'solution' I've been given is to create app shortcuts on a home/widget screen and then I could change the wallpaper here. But I guess this would lose some functionality, ie no quick access per se. I think I prefer the root solution.
Call Recording
I've been using Samsung Galaxy S3 rooted. Installed TotelRecall and worked well. Is there any rom comes with call recording facility? Or someone please explain how to enable 2 way call recording. I've rooted my HTC One.
Hi all,
So my Nexus 4 arrived today and I'm umming and ahhing as to root or not.
I've heard all the good things about doing it but I'm interested in peoples rooting nightmares. What's gone wrong? When have you wanted to throw your phone out the window?
Look forward to reading!
noahdev said:
Hi all,
So my Nexus 4 arrived today and I'm umming and ahhing as to root or not.
I've heard all the good things about doing it but I'm interested in peoples rooting nightmares. What's gone wrong? When have you wanted to throw your phone out the window?
Look forward to reading!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It really takes a tremendous effort to screw it up, it really does.
Cliff's Notes/summary, not an actual guide:
1. Learn to do it the old fashioned (and easiest way) by installing the drivers and using fastboot.
2. fastboot oem unlock
3. fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
4. flash your SU binaries zip
5. b00m!
CMNein said:
It really takes a tremendous effort to screw it up, it really does.
Cliff's Notes/summary, not an actual guide:
1. Learn to do it the old fashioned (and easiest way) by installing the drivers and using fastboot.
2. fastboot oem unlock
3. fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
4. flash your SU binaries zip
5. b00m!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In that case I'll lower my requirements. Anyone done it and thought 'You know what, I prefer the stock experience.'?
noahdev said:
In that case I'll lower my requirements. Anyone done it and thought 'You know what, I prefer the stock experience.'?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes actually. I thought rooting it was great and all, even went for custom kernels. The thing is, when you get all the updates that Google provides on a near instant basis, there is no need to root and rom your phone. Also, I feel like it doesn't provide too much extra for the experience. On a side note, when I had an HTC Sensation, I would root and rom just to get the newest and greatest from Google.
Your choice, but I like getting OTA's and don't run any SU apps.
Drebin 894 said:
Yes actually. I thought rooting it was great and all, even went for custom kernels. The thing is, when you get all the updates that Google provides on a near instant basis, there is no need to root and rom your phone. Also, I feel like it doesn't provide too much extra for the experience. On a side note, when I had an HTC Sensation, I would root and rom just to get the newest and greatest from Google.
Your choice, but I like getting OTA's and don't run any SU apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting means you are:
- able to make nandroid and Titanium Backups
- run a good custom kernel for color and sound control, better batterylife and performance and lower cpu temperatures
- install adblockers and other usefull apps.
If these aren`t improvements i don`t know what is and you might as well buy an iPhone for stock xperience, just my 2 cents.
BTW: @OP: rooting nightmares only occur with mis and badly informed users.
gee2012 said:
Rooting means you are:
- able to make nandroid and Titanium Backups
- run a good custom kernel for color and sound control, better batterylife and performance and lower cpu temperatures
- install adblockers and other usefull apps.
If these aren`t improvements i don`t know what is and you might as well buy an iPhone for stock xperience, just my 2 cents.
BTW: @OP: rooting nightmares only occur with mis and badly informed users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but I feel like I don't need them on my phone. I don't need to back up apps as I am not switching roms, I like getting the OTA updates, and I don't care about ads on mobile because I never see them anyway, either through paid apps or little browsing.
Drebin 894 said:
Yes, but I feel like I don't need them on my phone. I don't need to back up apps as I am not switching roms, I like getting the OTA updates, and I don't care about ads on mobile because I never see them anyway, either through paid apps or little browsing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Too each his own bro
I fully agree to each his own but if you do not see the advantages and personalization rooti g gives you then most likelyyou are the type tthat is satisfied with what you get. For me T9 calling alone is worth it, adjusting scree colors, raising the sound level,showing actual dBm signal strength, removal of all apps I don't want that were preloaded, darker ui experience. Now if you never try this then you wont miss it but its not lime you can't root it then unroot if you are not happy.
Bottom line updates will come the same day here whether rooted or not and these updates can also come with goodies...
Edit: Also lets be honest in a forum of 100.000's of members and rooter you will find maybe a few hundred or so that may have an issue and most of them I guarantee you was because of them not following directions properly. Thats what makes for rooting nightmares. Remember even non rooters from time to time have to restore their phones for one crazy reason or another. Now you have to restore back to 1 year ago when you first got the phone...SMH
I am having some trouble rooting and puting a custom recovery on my new Nexus 4, I unlocked the bootloader, and flashed the custom recovery through fastboot, but its not sticking, I don't know whats wrong.
UNless youir getting deadlocks letting your phone charge overnight, I would stay on stock.
CM is great, but there are just always broken things and bugs that will eventaully piss you off when you want to do something.
noahdev said:
Hi all,
What's gone wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely nothing, except for the very slight inconvenience of having to re-root or re-install TWRP after doing an Android operating system OTA update. Not only that, but I now have several "root only" apps that I needed, I have full access to the Linux command line programs which I use, and I am learning a lot about the Android OS lower level stuff. For me anyway, I really have no desire to install custom ROMS, as stock rooted Android does everything I want it to do.
There are stock based custom roms with CM type customization's... Again unless you have tried a stock customized rom with advancements you should not be judging. Also you don't have to use each cutsomization you can actually leave it stock and only use 1 or 2 custom items. Check out PSX 4.1 bone stock with a handful of customizations
There is really only one thing that annoys me about stock and that is the oversized Nav bottons. I just wished they made them smaller or gave us the otion to change the size. This is available on custom Roms and gives you more screen real-estate which definitley makes a difference.
That is one thing that keeps pulling me to custom Roms. I was running AOKP which seemed to run pretty good. I restored my phone back to stock because I thought I was having an issue with the notification light but then saw it just needed an app to make it work the way I was expecting it to.
So I have my phone rooted on stock 4.3 right now and I just wish I can make those Nav bars smaller! There are definitley cool features on some of the custom Roms though and it most certaintly can enhance your experience.
If ur not using the toolkit, then you should be.. If ur using and still manage to screw things, you should leave ur phone stock... The toolkits are already noob proof..
Connect phone to PC
Unlock boot loader
Root
Install recovery
Install ROM....
Its all 1 click each or some toolkits does it all in 1 click...
Rooted and running Paranoid Android + franco.kernel
my nightmare came from me going to fast... i missed a step and screwed up my phone...
i was able to get a stock image and reflash it, but it was a grueling 2 hours with a soft-bricked phone.
read all the stuff you can, and don't rush it.
Lucke said:
my nightmare came from me going to fast... i missed a step and screwed up my phone...
i was able to get a stock image and reflash it, but it was a grueling 2 hours with a soft-bricked phone.
read all the stuff you can, and don't rush it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please don't take this the wrong way... but you being the only person with a real horror story is quite comforting!
noahdev said:
Please don't take this the wrong way... but you being the only person with a real horror story is quite comforting!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no offense taken thats what i get for trying to root it while at work dealing with an Exchange upgrade
You can't really screw up a nexus device. It's not like Samsung where you hard flash the wrong version for the wrong phone and end up with a paperweight. If you mess up with nexus you can always return back
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4
My last nightmare with rooting was from htc desire hd, lots of bullcrap to be done, lots of s**t pre requisite..goldcard, emmc etc., ugh gives me headaches for days :/
Just use wugfresh toolkit and its a breeze
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4
Hello I'm huge Android fan and I never ever understood the root I've rooted my HTC one and got the Android revolution 40.3 by Mike 1986 with kit kat 4.4. And what is the big deal about root is there a cydia like program that installs stuff? I saw the bloat ware is gone and that's nice but come on it can't be just all that?
Tell me all the things as iI'm 5 years old
Thanks ahead
Edit: how do I update the rom OTA
Your 5 years old yeah sure
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
When you jailbreak the iPhone you are just able to install non apple apps. You can do that out of the box on Android by allowing other sources in settings. With root on Android you are able to install customized roms, like you did the ARHD. But with root you can customize the base rom with things like Xposed. It's much more powerful than just jailbreaking. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk
That's about right. The easy way to look at it is, when you get an android phone you have guest access, bit like a guest account on a PC.
You can do everything you need but not major stuff. Rooting the phone gives you administrator access or full access to everything so you can do anything eg install a different ROM or kernel.
Yeah I've got that xposed installer but what is great to install and what or why does I need to change the rom or kernel... But is the xposed installer "the big thing"?
sliz said:
Hello I'm huge Android fan and I never ever understood the root I've rooted my HTC one and got the Android revolution 40.3 by Mike 1986 with kit kat 4.4. And what is the big deal about root is there a cydia like program that installs stuff? I saw the bloat ware is gone and that's nice but come on it can't be just all that?
Tell me all the things as iI'm 5 years old
Thanks ahead
Edit: how do I update the rom OTA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Five years old huh?? Hmmm..
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
U can download stuff without even rooting.,Kid
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium HD app
I think he meant "Explain it to him like he is 5 years old".
Either way, you want to know what is root used for in Android? I'll help you out : Click Here
sliz said:
Yeah I've got that xposed installer but what is great to install and what or why does I need to change the rom or kernel... But is the xposed installer "the big thing"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't NEED to do anything. Everything is based on personal preference. Different roms offer different levels of customizations and performance and gives you options based on your wants. Different kernels offer more customizations to the power source of the phone. And let's you control and adjust different aspects of the phone you'll never have the opportunity to during stock. Xposed installer can be "the big thing" based on your needs. There's no way you're going to learn all this in one thread so I'd advise doing some research first like everybody else. Google has a ton of lists on why you should or shouldn't root, and install different kernels and roms. This entire thread sounds like a giant troll to me but if it's not I would advise you do your research. Because why install a different rom when you don't even know why you're doing it?
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
With an iDevice, Jailbreaking does things like allowing you to install non appstore apps, installing themes, and a few other odds and ends. With android, a lot of those things can be done out of the box. And anrdoid phone that has been rooted allows you to install custom ROMs, as has already been mentioned, and do various other things like overclock or underclock the processor and graphics, or make major changes to the phone itself. A lot of things you can do with rooted phone can potentially make the phone unstable or unusable to a degree, if you don't know what you are doing.
With root you can use the Xposed framework which can do a wide variety of things like changing the battery icon to show the percentage of the battery, make the notification bar at the top transparent, add widgets to your lock screen that you normally wouldn't be able to add, or even make it so you can hold the volume up or down buttons to change the song your listening to. There are almost endless possibilities with what you can do with rooted phone.....and that's really putting it in the simplest terms possible.
My suggestion would be to look around XDA at some of the things that require root access on you android device. Things like overclocking and underclocking, I wouldn't mess with until you have a firm grasp on what it can do and the side effect of what happens when you do it wrong.
Since it seems like you are new to android, I wouldn't worry at all about root, as you have a lot to learn before having root access will have any real use for you. It's much like buying a new house and wondering how many cable channels you'll be able to get. It's not one of those things that is a major priority. I've been using android devices for more than 5 years and still don;t find root access to be a mandatory thing.
I know what rooting is and what it does but I never found the great thing about it beside bloat ware is removed and the reason why I rooted was to get rid of them and can't get back to stock cause of bootloader is unlocked and can't get OTA on my phone with stock rom.
But I've read the ARHD rom offers OTA how do I setup my device to that. And I looked around in xposed installer and there are some preeeety nice software there
With root you are like a parent and can do things that you wouldn't let your kids do, such as eating chocolate before dinner. ?
The root user can do pretty much anything in a *nix OS, such as modify the system partition or running low level commands.
sliz said:
I know what rooting is and what it does but I never found the great thing about it beside bloat ware is removed and the reason why I rooted was to get rid of them and can't get back to stock cause of bootloader is unlocked and can't get OTA on my phone with stock rom.
But I've read the ARHD rom offers OTA how do I setup my device to that. And I looked around in xposed installer and there are some preeeety nice software there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ARHD has never had OTA updates
the only roms I have used that did OTA is ViperOne and MaximusHD their could be others I have just not used them
InsertCoin uses an update system but it's not OTA like the others