Database Develop

Asking for your input on whether I should root

Hi all,
I am supposed to receive my nexus 7 tomorrow.
I just cant decide on whether I should root or no.
I can say for sure that I do not plan to change roms, I only want to root in order to use storage via usb-otg (also not sure I will use it eventually).
I do know that I want to receive OTA updates and that's why I don't like the idea of rooting.
Any suggestions?
Thanks a lot!
Asaf

Yes you should root it if you want to use usb-otg. I decided not to root mine on day one and now I'm looking for a method that won't erase everthing on my device. So if you see yourself needing that in the future do it now rather than later .

shemsha said:
Hi all,
I am supposed to receive my nexus 7 tomorrow.
I just cant decide on whether I should root or no.
I can say for sure that I do not plan to change roms, I only want to root in order to use storage via usb-otg (also not sure I will use it eventually).
I do know that I want to receive OTA updates and that's why I don't like the idea of rooting.
Any suggestions?
Thanks a lot!
Asaf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a Nexus device which makes to easy to root and unroot..
If an OTA comes out you can be unrooted and back stock in a matter of minutes..
Oddly, I have had no reason or desire to root my N7 and I even put my GNex back stock...

If you do root, do it before you install all kinds of stuff. You have to reset to root. Not sure how the Google credit works, but you might want to register the device, get the credit, then root. Just in case.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

I was reluctant to root or not. CM10 is only a preview, other roms not much better than stock, I don't need OTG, so why root? For one crucial app: TITANIUM BACKUP. When you unlock and root everything is wiped!

My suggestion is unlock the bootloader right away since that part wipes data, then root when (and if) you decide to download an app that needs root access.

Easier to Root now rather than later. Rooting requires you to wipe losing all apps and settings.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Yes. First thing I always do on a Nexus device is unlock and root. It's just as easy to lock it again and flash the stock rom if ever needed.

I would unlock the bootloader at a minimum, before you set anything up, as that action will wipe data. If you decide to root later on you'll be in great shape.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

Might be better to wait and see if any problems arise with the device first?

I rooted mine using the One click root tool, very easy.
Got to be worth it to install ad block and sixaxis.

Like others have said, at the very minimum, unlock the bootloader (a prerequisite for rooting) right away. If you decide to unlock it later you'll have to wipe the device.

Absolutely. Just make sure you bookmark (in the cloud) how to unroot before you root (including restoring stock bootloader). It would also be smart to read what issues other folks have had, and what they did to solve their problems. (In short, always have a concrete, detailed exit plan before you start something.)
Sent from my ThinkPad Tablet using Tapatalk 2

shaneydroid said:
Might be better to wait and see if any problems arise with the device first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is an excellent point I am very anzy ( think I killed that word) to unlock and root but I want to give it atleast a week to make sure there are no kinks, dead pixels or anything that would require me to return it but so far so good on my first day. I bought Titu with the $25 credit forgetting that it requires root lol but it's all good becuase now I have it for my Vivid but to use six axis you need root as well.

shaneydroid said:
Might be better to wait and see if any problems arise with the device first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
clago87 said:
That is an excellent point I anzy ( think I killed that word) to unlock and root but I want to give it atleast a week to make sure there are no kinks, dead pixels or anything that would require me to return it but so far so good on my first day. I bought Titu with the $25 credit forgetting that it requires root lol but it's all good becuase now I have it for my Vivid but to use six axis you need root as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Other than checking out the basic functions, I wouldn't bother waiting. The device is designed to be unlocked so it is not a hardware warranty issue and that is what you would be returning the device for. If you plan on having root, you need root to test the things you will be using it for.
Plus, it then allows you to back up the device so that if you do have to get another one, it is a very simple process to restore your backup and be back up and running (one of the primary reasons for root)

krelvinaz said:
Other than checking out the basic functions, I wouldn't bother waiting. The device is designed to be unlocked so it is not a hardware warranty issue and that is what you would be returning the device for. If you plan on having root, you need root to test the things you will be using it for.
Plus, it then allows you to back up the device so that if you do have to get another one, it is a very simple process to restore your backup and be back up and running (one of the primary reasons for root)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am actually glad to be at work for once. I am very easily swayed and am ready to unlock and root lol. I have read all the info on it and it does not seem too much of a burden compared to my atrix

I'm kind of confused, do I unlocked the bootlocker first or install 4.1.1 updates?
If I install then unlock, would the updates be gone?
Would I be able to update even after unlock and root?

i rooted even though i had already installed apps etc... its very handy to be able to use external storage and apps like titanium backup.. i dont really intend installing customs roms.. but the otg support was enough to warrant rooting for me

You can backup and restore your device with ADB. Backup, unlock, restore. You don't have to lose everything to root it later on.

hydroxyde said:
You can backup and restore your device with ADB. Backup, unlock, restore. You don't have to lose everything to root it later on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep was just about to say this, picked this method up in the OneX forums, life saver
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

[SOLVED] Stock 4.2.1 upgrade failed.

I've bought my son and daughter a nexus 7 each for Christmas.
His upgraded over the air fine, hers downloaded the firmware, rebooted and the installation started.
After a couple of minutes the Android fell over with a red exclamation mark.
I've tried forcing the upgrade and the same happened.
Any ideas how to upgrade her nexus 7?
Thanks

Fastboot mode is working ?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

I've not tried it.
How do I try it?
Assuming it's ok, does that help with upgrading?
Any issue truing fast boot mode?

Any ideas? Or will it need replacing?

Factory reset and try again
Sent from my Nexus 7

I have the same problem.

Hey guys,
I made an account just to post this, however it was all done my G2 so I apologize for poor formatting and/or not completely clear instructions. This issue has kept me up for hours upon hours, and I finally figured out how to fix it. The issue apparently has something to do with the way the Nexus was formatted, prohibiting the update from working. Google/Asus support have been useless regarding the issue which is a very simple fix just requiring the user to reflash the N7 with a stock image. It has been confirmed working by not just me but other people on the reddit nexus 7 board. Here is what I did (copy/pasted from my reddit thread):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are two methods to fix this, an in depth method, and an easy and quick method. My first time I used the in depth, but I tested this with the easy method too so I'll just post that. I'm on a cell phone so I'm not going into the in depth method - I'm posting this so hopefully the other people like me who got this on Christmas won't have to return it.
----------------
For the quick and easy method, download Wug's toolkit here:
(google this, forums wont let me post links until I reach 10 posts)
Run the driver install guide, making sure to follow the parts about uninstalling previous drivers. Follow this to a T. Next, unlock your bootloader. Its painless and takes seconds. Next, go here and download your Nexus specific update.
(Find this on google developer site, you can google it too - forums wont let me post links - also make sure its 4.2.1)
Click on the "back to stock + unroot" -- we never rooted, but just do this. Select other/browse and browse to the image you downloaded. Flash this. You WILL fail on three files - it says something like recovery.sig failed - it will do it for two other .sig files. This is fine. Let it do its thing. A few minutes later your android will boot up. Log in, and go to settings. Click about tablet. Click on build number like 10 times, until it tells you developer options unlocked. Go into developer options and enable USB debugging. Now, go back to Wugs toolkit and lock the bootloader. There you have it, an updated nexus running stock everything, and locked so your warranty is not void.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was a very sloppy guide put together on my cell phone. Any questions just post and I'll do my best to get back to you. Goodluck!

Hi.
Thanks for the reply.
Just wondering if there is an easier way to do this.
I'm not comfortable flashing a new device.
What was the suggestion about fast boot?
Thanks

albert_htc said:
Hi.
Thanks for the reply.
Just wondering if there is an easier way to do this.
I'm not comfortable flashing a new device.
What was the suggestion about fast boot?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is definitely the easiest way for you to fix your problems. The risk of your device becoming unusable is practically none. This is the beauty of nexus devices, Google provides official factory reset ROMs for you to flash in these sorts of situations. You can either use Wugs or mskip's tookit as advised to automate the process (fastboot commands used to flash the recovery image, fastboot commands are simply used to flash it to your device) or you can use fastboot to flash it yourself manually (still very easy)
I would 100% do this to fix your device. Don't be scared! This is the official way of fixing a nexus device when it doesn't function.

Thanks.
I'm trying this now.
I've uninstalled all previous drivers, and it's updated to an 'Android Phone -> Android Composite ADB Interface'
I've clicked the Reboot BootLoader Button.. and nothing happens on the tablet.
This was trying with the #3 driver option.
I'm now trying driver #2 !!

Another quick question...
Once all this is done, will I have issues with it in the future, or should this resolve future updates.?

albert_htc said:
Another quick question...
Once all this is done, will I have issues with it in the future, or should this resolve future updates.?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not certain about the driver issues because I don't use Wug's toolkit, sorry!
However, when you get this completed, it should solve this problem in the future.

I've had to go with option 1 for the drivers..
but it's done and working
One thing I did have to do after unlocking the boot loader was reset up on the wifi and re enable USB debugging before I could continue.
all sorted thanks

albert_htc said:
Thanks.
I'm trying this now.
I've uninstalled all previous drivers, and it's updated to an 'Android Phone -> Android Composite ADB Interface'
I've clicked the Reboot BootLoader Button.. and nothing happens on the tablet.
This was trying with the #3 driver option.
I'm now trying driver #2 !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let us know how it comes out and if there's problems, exactly where you're hitting the problem. I will try to help you out and later today I could probably get on team viewer and help you figure the drivers out.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

Hi CharliesTheMan..
It's working. Had to use option 1 for the drivers.. but its updated and working
Thanks

Glad it worked out!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

Andoid 4.3 Discussion

So finally Android 4.3 has arrived and our Beloved Nexus 7 is Upgradable Now.....
here is the link to the download of factory Image:
https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images#nakasijwr66v
Follow this Method and flash the New Android OS...
[GUIDE] Flashing a Factory Image with fastboot / return to stock Thanks @comminus for a great Guide...
Report Back with screenShots and new featuers as well as Bugs because new pudates bring New Bugs.....

The update brought a new bootloader version...android 4.2.2 had 4.18 and 4.3 has 4.23.....

hassam_tariq2003 said:
The update brought a new bootloader version...android 4.2.2 had 4.18 and 4.3 has 4.23.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you lose boot loader unlock or root when you installed 4.3? I'm assuming you used fastboot to install not OTA? Just curious...I'll be playing tonight when I get home.

tbonezx11 said:
Did you lose boot loader unlock or root when you installed 4.3? I'm assuming you used fastboot to install not OTA? Just curious...I'll be playing tonight when I get home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You lose root but your bootloader remains unlocked.
Has anyone been able to root 4.3? Tried to root and flash custom recovery with the Nexus 7 toolkit, but I don't think it's working.

mhl12 said:
You lose root but your bootloader remains unlocked.
Has anyone been able to root 4.3? Tried to root and flash custom recovery with the Nexus 7 toolkit, but I don't think it's working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haven't tried it (I'm yet to receive the update) but someone referenced this link: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+Chainfire/posts/WqS2E9kkN1L

he is right.....You loose root but bootloader remains unlocked...
i have heard people say that you do not loose root if you use the OTA Method and your bootloader also remains unlocked....So its your choice its either Fastboot or OTA...

Just use OTA Rootkeeper, you'll be fine.
Just remember kids.
You cannot use an OTA if your ROM is modified in ANY WAY.

Yeah OTA wont work for most people, seeing as they probably have a modified ROM. In any sense, chainfire has a root method that works. I can confirm it working, because I installed it using TWRP

khaytsus said:
Just use OTA Rootkeeper, you'll be fine.
Just remember kids.
You cannot use an OTA if your ROM is modified in ANY WAY.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When 4.2.2 came out I had problems updating because my ROM was modified. But someone modified OTA not to check for changes in ROM and it worked.

no OpenGL ES 3.0 for us?
according to http://developer.android.com/:
"OpenGL ES 3.0 is an optional feature that depends on underlying graphics hardware. Support is already available on Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 4, and Nexus 10 devices."

I am running 4.3 unlocked but I did the one click method for root using nexus tool kit and for some reason it did not work, I have to try again tonight.

Want a single click ADB setup? Go to my thread I've made a Tool for that. No need to download the whole SDK it's just 2MB
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2374071
What to know how to easily pull ota link with ADB follow my thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2270429
For official nexus 7 windows 7 - 8 driver download them from ASUS site. No trickery needed.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk HD
Team SXTP

So, I played around a bit,
First of all, I did a "clean, unrooted and even locked bootloader install".
So I'm 1000% stock, just to avoid stuff like "maybe root caused it"..
(I locked it because I wanted to go 100% stock, just FYI, I know it's normally not necessary...)
The welcome screen was a bit weird... I got asked 2 times to tick or untick boxes for saving passwords and all that stuff.. (I think they mixed up the new and the old "first boot setup"?)
The Apps and widgets in the drawer were kinda confused, took 2 reboots for them to settle... (Icons disappeared and reappeared.. The widget tab in the drawer threw some widgets in and out, and the previews were mixed up, so dots and a weird sign was the result (as a preview of the widget)...
The initial setup was pretty laggy, but after setting stuff up, until now, yes I can say the performance of the nexus 7 is improved..
First I was like "OH HELL NO" but after the setup and the reboot everything was smooth...
Oh, and the back button was destroyed 1 time, blinked up but didn't go back... I pressed the home button and it worked then.
Edit: And sadly, no new wallpapers in stock... ):
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

I booted it up, restored my Google Play stuff (flashed a factory image, completely wiped everything from it, so it's clean, I think).
It lagged a lot, so I rebooted it and it still isn't 4.2.2 smooth. Maybe it's just me, I'll see.
Is it just me, or does it feel like the only thing that changed for us is the number in settings menu besides Google Apps?
OpenGL ES as it was already said, doesn't appear to be here for us, not to mention the fact that Miracast had never actually worked on N7 until recently when someone had it ported over.

Has anyone managed to find the link for the OTA yet?

SO I flashed the stock 4.3 kernel on a 4.2.2 rom and discovered that the stock android 4.3 kernel breaks wifi and gps on 4.2.2...

Eregoth said:
Has anyone managed to find the link for the OTA yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have literally hours working on that.

Flashed the stock image using fastboot, took like 2 minutes to do, flashed the chainfire root patch and rebooted and restored apps, so far everything is pretty smooth no disappearing apps or icons or buttons, the kernel seems to be quicker, opening websites was quite a bit quicker, one thing I noticed while trying out different browsers was ads opening up new tabs automatically, that's something that's never happened before.

ffaiz.m said:
no OpenGL ES 3.0 for us?
according to http://developer.android.com/:
"OpenGL ES 3.0 is an optional feature that depends on underlying graphics hardware. Support is already available on Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 4, and Nexus 10 devices."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tegra 3 does not support GLES3. Even Tegra 4 won't, because nvidia are still using their old gpu architecture.

What's the performance like? Better than 4.2 or 4.1?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

[Q] KFHD (2012) rooted?

Hi Everyone:
I am attempting to root and install cm11 on my son's KFHD. I am a bit of a noob, but I have successfully rooted my nook color in the past and read MANY threads on how to root, but I'm kind of at a loss.
The problem is that I followed the thread on how to root and I had a bunch of trouble. I finally was able to get through the steps, but the command box closed before the KFHD rebooted successfully. In an attempt to "fix" it, I restored the device to factory settings. It seems to be working just fine with stock os, but there is a superuser app which has requested access to apps.
I downloaded an app from Mobile1 to check that there is root access and the app indicates that I do indeed have root access. Should I go ahead and try to install a rom?
I would like to root it because my son is using it for school and is having a hard time adjusting to the stock os. (Which I hate, too).
Thank you so much!!!!
-NDH

1. Super User is the app that lets apps have access to root. (easy way of understanding it)
2. You need to Install Twrp and 2nd bootlander before installing the rom.
go to this video and follow the directions carefully. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1bLCuQN0-U
3.Go to this video to install cm 11 rom for 2012 version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ODVX_EYaVY
4. once intalled new rom go to settings-about tablet-cyanogenmod updates and then update to latest version. IMPORTANT

thank you
Thank you for the advice. I appreciate it.
I've run into a new problem today, however. The device powered itself off and won't reboot at all. (It had a full charge). So I am off to do some research on how to fix this problem. UGH.
-NDH

ndharvey said:
Thank you for the advice. I appreciate it.
I've run into a new problem today, however. The device powered itself off and won't reboot at all. (It had a full charge). So I am off to do some research on how to fix this problem. UGH.
-NDH
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you flash anything before this happened?

nope
SafinWasi said:
Did you flash anything before this happened?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't flash anything - just tried to root. After several hours of trying lots of fixes and googling like crazy, I was able to get the device to turn on. My WIN7 laptop was not recognizing the KFHD. I tried a different usb port on my laptop and it installed all of teh drivers and recognized the device.
I did go ahead and order a fastboot cable - and I'm glad I did. The day after I got the KFHD working again, it turned itself off again and would not reboot.
I spent several hours today trying to understand fastboot and how to use the cable and a few minutes ago, I was able to restore a system image and get it back to stock. I am waiting for it to charge up a bit and then I'll set it up again. I think it worked because there are no apps or anything installed as of now.
All I really want to do is have access to the Play Store and install an alternate launcher, so it looks and feels comfortable for my kid. He's had the kindle for almost a year, but doesn't feel very comfortable using it and its something he needs to use at school (where I can't help him). Once its charged up, I will re-root - following directions very closely!!!!!
Thanks for your help!
NDH

ndharvey said:
I didn't flash anything - just tried to root. After several hours of trying lots of fixes and googling like crazy, I was able to get the device to turn on. My WIN7 laptop was not recognizing the KFHD. I tried a different usb port on my laptop and it installed all of teh drivers and recognized the device.
I did go ahead and order a fastboot cable - and I'm glad I did. The day after I got the KFHD working again, it turned itself off again and would not reboot.
I spent several hours today trying to understand fastboot and how to use the cable and a few minutes ago, I was able to restore a system image and get it back to stock. I am waiting for it to charge up a bit and then I'll set it up again. I think it worked because there are no apps or anything installed as of now.
All I really want to do is have access to the Play Store and install an alternate launcher, so it looks and feels comfortable for my kid. He's had the kindle for almost a year, but doesn't feel very comfortable using it and its something he needs to use at school (where I can't help him). Once its charged up, I will re-root - following directions very closely!!!!!
Thanks for your help!
NDH
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would recommend you to install a custom ROM like CyanogenMod. Trust me,you'll love it. AOSP is much better than Amazon OS.

I just bought the Nexus 6, should I root it immediately?

Hi, long time lurker here. I want to start by saying how great and informative this site is. Anyway, my nexus 6 came in from the mail like 5 hours ago, did all the updates from 5.0 to 6.0 and it's now running Marshmallow mra58n. Question is should I root it immediately and if so, are there any guides I can follow? Much love to you all, I'm not exactly pro at this kind of things but I can follow instructions since I have competently rooted my past phones which were an HTC M7, M8 and a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet.
Thank you.
Edit: Phone is also unlocked, I currently have no SIM card

start here..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/how-to-nexus-6-one-beginners-guide-t2948481

At the least unlock the bootloader right away. Doing so will completely wipe the phone so it's the first thing I do.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

razortaz18 said:
At the least unlock the bootloader right away. Doing so will completely wipe the phone so it's the first thing I do.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been looking at the Nexus Root Toolkit since I am kind of confused on how to proceed with anything at all, is that ill advised since I've read that there are problems with the USB cable disconnecting during reboot?
Also, thank you for the reply.

I used the NRT without issue. Just follow the guide step by step.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

and, dont touch the usb cable while the phone is processing your commands!
j/k, never even heard of the USB cable "problem"

I just used the toolkit today to unlock and root my N6.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I rooted last night initially using manual method described in the first link provided, however after some driver issues ultimately used the 2.1.0 rootkit to uninstall and reinstall all drivers. That too alone saved me tons of time and either method is simple if you can follow instructions.
Totally recommend rooting and then experimenting with custom roms, its like getting a new phone everyone you install a new rom.
Have fun!

Kristine,
In answer specifically to your question "Should I...?" my answer is "No". It really depends on what you think you'll get from it - why do you want to do it? What specific benefits do you want?
The reason that I say "no" is that I've been rooted on all my several phones for years, and I've decided that for me the annoyance of having to manually flash ROMs outweighs the benefits - particularly now that Google are releasing frequent security updates. The moment you root your device the OTA (over the air) updates no longer work.
For me the major reason for rooting was to have a firewall. The other things (wakelock detection, double tap to wake, auto-hibernation...) were great but not showstoppers. Now that there is a non-root firewall (Netguard) I'm happy to leave my phone unrooted. I haven't had an OTA to apply yet, so if I have any problems then I might change my mind, but my advice would be to think hard about why you want root before you buy yourself into a world of tinkering...

razortaz18 said:
At the least unlock the bootloader right away. Doing so will completely wipe the phone so it's the first thing I do.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dammit, are you kidding me? I just downloaded and setup everything, figured I'd do all everything else tomorrow... Oh, well I can do it again I suppose.

Kristine-N said:
Question is should I root it immediately....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because I don't want a white interface, rooting is necessary. Google forces to many things, like forced encryption, useless apps and a white interface (battery drain). When rooting was impossible I would not have bought a Nexus.

Short answer: No!
Long answer: Well, it's sill no, but you can or even should do a couple of things.
First if all, allow OEM Unlocking in development settings. There are gazillion how-tos to switch developer mode on, and tick that switch. Google has borked OTAs already, and if your phone doesn't boot, and the switch is off, then you're boned, you can send it for repair. But if you can unlock you bootloader, then you can flash a custom recovery and make your phone working again.
Second, if you do plan to root your phone in the near future, you should unlock the bootloader now, while it's still new, because it will erase everything (IMHO this would be sufficient as a security measure, the Enable OEM Unlocking is overkill).
As for the main question if you don't have any specific ideas what you want the root for, then don't root your phone. It's a clear and present security risk, and you're just one too many "Allow" taps from letting someone acquire your passwords, clone your IMEI, and download your personal stuff. My motto is, if you don't know what exactly root is, what it does, then you don't know how to prevent exploits that need it to run.
Also if you modify your phone in any way, and that includes rooting, you won't receive the monthly OTAs, and will have to flash it manually.
And finally, don't use toolkits on a Nexus. Spend another hour reading about the matter and you will find out typing adb and fastboot commands is a easy as clicking buttons on toolkits. There is nothing extra in them, they just download the images to flash, and "type" these commands for you.

Unlock bootloader and don't root it for now. After some time, if you feel like you're missing some features that you can obtain only with root, then go ahead. But for now I would strongly recommend to stay stock and see how it goes...